RavinderSingh

YOURDREAMSAREMINENOW

Contents

AbouttheAuthor

Dedication

Prologue

AYearAgo...

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

Ten

Eleven

Twelve

Thirteen

Fourteen

Fifteen

Sixteen

Seventeen

Eighteen

Nineteen

Twenty

Twenty-One

Twenty-Two

Twenty-Three

Twenty-Four

Twenty-Five

42HoursLater...

60HoursLater...

72HoursLater...

Twenty-Six

Epilogue

Acknowledgements

FollowPenguin

Copyright

PENGUINMETROREADS

YOURDREAMSAREMINENOW

RavinderSinghisthebestsellingauthorofITooHadaLoveStory,CanLoveHappenTwice?andLikeIt Happened Yesterday. After having spent most of his life in Burla, a very small town in westernOdisha,RavinderiscurrentlybasedinNewDelhi.HehasanMBAfromtherenownedIndianSchoolofBusiness.Hiseight-year-longITcareerstartedwithInfosysandcametoahappyendingatMicrosoftwhereheworkedasaseniorprogrammemanager.Onefinedayhehadanepiphanythatwritingbooksismoreinterestingthanwritingprojectplans.Hecalleditadayatworkandtooktofull-timewriting.Hehas also started apublishingventure calledBlack Ink (www.BlackInkBooks.in), to publish debutauthors.Ravinderlovesplayingsnookerinhisfreetime.HeisalsocrazyaboutPunjabimusicandlovesdancingtoitsbeats.The best way to contact Ravinder is through his official fan page on Facebook, at

https://www.facebook.com/RavinderSingh.official.fanpage.HeismorefrequentinhisresponsetoreadersonhisTwitterhandle@_RavinderSingh_.

Tothebraveheartsofthiscountrywhotookastandandrefusedtosufferinsilence

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Prologue

ThePresent

Therewasstillenough time left fordusk.But theskyover thecityofDelhiwasgettingdarkerwithevery passingminute. It was the end ofMay. Summerwas at its peak.After breaking the previousyear’s record,yetagain, themaximumtemperature in thecitywasatanall-timehigh.Toescape thehottestpartoftheday,intheafternoons,peoplepreferredtostayconfinedtotheshelteroftheirofficesandhomes.Theairwasdry.Butthatdaywasverydifferent.Thatday,lateintheafternoon,thesunthatwasusuallyblazinginthewesternsky,wasuntraceable.

Densedarkclouds thathadflowninfromtheeasthadblocked thesunlight. Itnevergot thisdarksoearlyinthedayinthecapital.Butthatday,MotherNaturetoohadchosentowearblackbeforetime—perhapsasanactofsolidarity;perhapsasamarkofprotest.Inno time, the skyappearedvisiblyangry.Sudden intermittentbright flashesof lightning toreout

frombehindthedarkclouds.Awildskyroaredinanger—loudandclear.Itthreatenedtorain.Itcertainlywasn’tthearrivalofmonsoon.Thatwasatleastamonthaway.Aspellofraininthehot

summerisn’tuncommoninDelhi.Intenseheatforaprolongedperiodusuallyledtoashower.ButthemannerinwhichtherainwaspreparingitselftofalloverthecityofDelhithatday,wasnotacommonoccurrence.Itwasratherscary.Afewthousandfeetbelowtheangryblackcloudsweremanythousandangrysoulswhohadcome

outonthestreetsofDelhi.Agitatedyoungmenandwomen—collegestudentsandofficegoers.Therewasrageintheireyes,theiryoungfaces,theirbodylanguage.Theywereamassofangerandprotest.And theywere loud—louder than the loudest thunderclaps. It didn’tmatter if they knew the personstandingnexttothemorwalkingwiththem.Theyhadallgatheredforacausethatwascommontoeachoneofthem—justice!Thatwasonewordanyonecouldreadonthoseseveralhundredbannersandpostersthatthecrowd

unanimouslybrandished.Ithadallbecomeaphenomenon,whichwasunseeninDelhitillthatevening.Everyroadthatledto

IndiaGate and JantarMantar, every train that arrived at Rajiv Chowkmetro station, every bus thatdrove into centralDelhi,was packedwith youngsters.Delhiwaswitnessing a first of its kindmassprotest.TheyoungIndiathatonweekendswouldhavechosentochilloutinglamorousmultiplexestowatch amovie orwouldhaveopted to sweat it out on the cricket grounds, had chosen to spend theweekendonthebakedroadsofDelhi.OntheothersideofthisyoungIndiawasanoldsystemthatwasn’tyetreadytochangeitself.Itwasa

systemthatononehandhadseverelyfailedtomaintainlawandorderinthestate,butontheotherhandwastryingtocontrolthechaoticsituationitwasfacedwith.Everysinglepolicemaninthecitywasonalert.Cladintheirkhakiuniformsandprotectedbytheirhelmets,thetroopbrandishedtheircanesfrombehindthebarricades.Thescenewassimilarateachandeveryepicentreofprotest.Thegatheringatthevastspaceinfront

ofRashtrapatiBhavanwas the biggest of all, seeingwhich theRapidActionForce (RAF)hadbeeninstallednexttothestatepolice.Fromteargaspistolstowatercannons,thelawandordermachineryhadprepareditselftodealwiththesituationathand.A gathering of thousands at this one place was a sight to behold. Every single sound, be it the

frequentvoicesover thehundredsofwalkie-talkies in thehandsof cops, thecentralized loudspeakerinstalledover theRAF’sVajr van, or the news journalists reporting live, all of it added to the noisy

chaos. But the one sound that dominated and suppressed every other was the thumping hum of thecrowd.Itremainedundefeated.Trafficthateveninghadcometoacompletestandstill.Onafewkeyroadsthatledtotheepicentres

of the protest, the only vehicles allowed to enter were either the media vans or the police patrols.Everythingelsewasinadeadlock.Thencamethemomentwhenthemuch-anticipatedoccurrencehappened.Itrained.Heavily.Largedrops thatwerepowerful enough to disperse the crowd, tomakepeople run away from the

openstreetsandseek thenearestshelter, fell insheets.Thescenebecameevenbleaker.Yet itwasn’tabletobreakthenewfoundwillofthisnation’syouthstandingunitedforacause.Howcouldaspellofrainbreakthosewho’dalreadypreparedthemselvestofacethemonstrouswatercannons?Besides,theywerewaitingfortherainanyway.So quite miraculously, the rain only ended up uniting them. Every boy and girl, every man and

woman,heldeachother’shands.Theymadeahumanchain.Therewasamessageinit—thattheywerealltogether;thattheywerenotgoingtoleaveandthatthey

wouldbravetherainandthesystem.Indeeditwasanunbelievablespectacle,whichlookedmorelikeafilmshoot.Butthenourfilmsand

oursocietyreflecteachother.Whatoftenhappensinsocietygoesontothecelluloidandviceversa.Likeneedles,theraindropspiercedtheskinofallthosepresent.Theraindrummedovertheirheads.

Gallonsofwaterstreameddowntheirfaces.Eyesshrankandnostrilswidenedtoengulfasmuchairaspossible.Somebreathed through theirmouth. Inno time theirwet clothes clung to theirwetbodies.Everygustofwindnowbegantoappearcold.Bythen,everyothersoundhaddieddown.Theonlysoundthatprevailedwasthatoftherain.Allthis

whiletheyouthofDelhistoodstillholdingeachother’shands.Manyofthemhadbeenshivering.Sotheytightenedtheirgrip.Itfeltasiftheywerepassingstrengthandenergytoeachotherthroughtheirhands.ItwasadifferentDelhithatday—neverheardofandcertainlyneverseenearlier.Inthatmuch-awaitedrainofMaythatbroughtthetemperaturedown,youngIndiawasboiling.It was waking up from its long uninterrupted sleep. Scores of media people and camerapersons

captureditallandbroadcastitlivetotherestofthenation,whichparticipatedinthesameemotionandaggressionthroughthiscoverage.Butfarawayfromthis,wherethebattlebetweenthecitizensandthesystemwasgoingon,therewas

anotherplace—aplacewhereabattlebetweenlifeanddeathwasinprogress.Ithadallbegunfromhere—theAllIndiaInstituteofMedicalSciences,wellknownasAIIMS.ThedeathlysilenceintheICUofthisgovernmenthospitalthateveningwasloudenoughtowakeup

the entire nation. Itwason everynews channel.The camerapersons covered everymovementof thebureaucraticandpoliticalcavalcadesthatarrivedatthegate.Thereporterscapturedeveryminutedetailthattheteamofdoctorshadsharedwiththem.This state of affairs persisted for a long while. The world outside AIIMS continued to wait in

anticipation.TheskyaboveDelhicontinuedtocry.

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AYEARAGO...

One

ThatdaymarkedthearrivalofanewbatchofstudentsinDelhiUniversity(DU).Justlikethethousandsofstudents inDUabout tostep intoabrandnewbeginning,awholenewlifewasready towelcomeRupali.Andshewasreadytoembracethislife.Rupali Sinha, an eighteen-year-old, confident,merit-list student fromPatna, hadmade her parents

proud.Shehadreceivedanadmissioncall froma top-rankedDUinstitutewhichwasalsoherdreamcollege.EvenbeforeshehadtakenherClassXIIboardexams,shehadalwaysdreamtofwalkingdownthecorridorsofthiscollege.Shehadbeenabrightstudentthroughoutherschoollife,butsheknewthatgiven thecompetitionat thenational level, itwasgoing tobeverydifficult forher tomake it to thisinstitute. However, she had also believed that it was only difficult, not impossible. And with hersincerityandhardwork,onedayshewouldbethere.Andsoshewas.Topursuecommercefromthiscollegehadbeenherbiggestshort-termgoal.Exceptthatnowthatshe

had achieved her goal, she couldn’t help but feel nervous and excited at the same time. After anovernightjourneyandspendingagoodpartofthedayonthetrain,shehadarrivedatthecollegehostelintheevening.Itwasnottoodarkyet.Shewassoonallocatedaroomandgiventhekeysanddirectiontotheroombythewarden’sassistant.Itwasroomno.107onthegroundfloor.Rupaliwasrelievedthatshedidn’thavetocarryherbags

upstairs. Shewalked through the slightly dark, quiet corridor and opened the door to her room.Sheplacedherbagsonthefloorandlookedaroundtheroominthefaintlightthatenteredfrombehindthecurtains.She smiled. Itwas a sweet room.Large, spacious, an ironbed each against two facingwalls, two

almirahsandtwostudytables.Shehadbeentoldthatshewouldhavetosharetheroom.Butsincehersoon-to-beroommatehadn’tarrivedyet,shechosehersideoftheroom.Shethenswitchedonthelightandopenedhersuitcasetounpack.Shetookoutthatday’snewspaperfromoneofherbagsandlaidoutthe sheets on the shelves of the almirah. She only arranged the few things that she would needimmediately.Therestofitsheplannedtoarrangethenextevening.Sheslowlypulledoutabedsheetandpillowcase thathermotherhad so lovinglypacked from thepileof clothes inher suitcase.Nextcameanightie,atowel,acoupleofeverydayclothes,andhertoiletrieswhichshebeganarranginginthealmirah.Intermittently,Rupaliheardvoices in thecorridor.She steppedoutofher room tocheck.She saw

girlswho, just likeher,had justmoved into thehostelwith their luggage. If theyhappened tonoticeRupali,shegreetedthemwithasmile.Andtheysmiledbackandmovedontodiscovertheirrespectiverooms.Rupalisteppedbackintoherroomtoresumeherunpacking.Sheatetheleftoverfruitsfromherjourneyanddidn’tfeelhungryenoughtogotothemesstoeat.

Shelefttheexerciseofsteppingintothehostelmesstocheckouttheplaceforthenextday.Afterarrangingherroom,Rupalithoughtaboutfresheningupbeforegoingtobedandheadedforthe

hostelwashrooms.Asshewashedherfaceandbrushedherteethshecaughtherreflectioninthemirrorandsawatired-

looking face with faint shadows under her eyes. She realized she had barely slept the night beforeleavingfor thehostel.Theemotionalatmosphereathomeand theexcitementhadkeptherawakeallnight.Shedecidedtogetagoodlongsleep.Afterall,shewantedtowakeupfreshforherfirstdayatcollege.Butwhenshelayonthebed,thethrillofgoingtocollegethenextdaykeptherfromdozingoff.Shekepttossingandturning.

Whendreamstakeshape,sleeprunsaway.ThehostelbedaddedtoRupali’sanxiety.Itfeltdifferenttoherbodyandmadeheruncomfortable.In

that sleepless state, she began to think of home and realized how far away shewas fromPatna; herhostelwasgoingtobehernewhomeinDelhi.Minuteslater,whensleephadstillnotcometoher,sherecalled all that had happened in her life in the past forty-eight hours—how her proud father, whoserved as a travelling ticket inspector (TTI) in North Eastern Railways, had taken a day’s leave toperformapujaathome. Itwas toseekblessings fromtheAlmighty,beforeRupali leftPatna tostartcollege.Howhercaringmother,ahomemaker,hadmadesattuandladdoosespeciallyforher.AsRupalithoughtofhermother,shepeeredinthedarkatthetiffinboxeswhichhermotherhadpackedforherandwhichwerenowsittingonthetablenexttoherbed.Shereachedoutandranherhandlovinglyoverthem.Sherealizedhowinmakingthemhermotherhadpouredinallherloveandcareintothem.Shealsothoughtofheryoungerbrother,Tanmay,whohadsecretlycriedallnightbeforeshewastoleaveforDelhi.Sherememberedhowhehad,wordlessly,givenheratighthug,probablyforthefirsttimeinherlife,atthePatnarailwaystation,whereherentirefamilyhadcometoseeheroff.Thiswas the first time that Rupaliwas on her own, away from home.But she hadn’t yet started

missingherfamilyorherhouse.Therewasstillsometimeforthattohappen.Insteadshewashappythinkingaboutherparents,who,unlikemanyotherparents inPatna,or for thatmatter, thewholeofBihar, had given their daughter the much-needed freedom. They had allowed her to go out all byherself, to a different city, to learn how to stand on her own feet.The night passedwithmany suchthoughtsinterspersedwithafeelingofanticipationforwhatthenextdaywouldbring.Itwasonlyintheearlyhoursofdawnthatsleepfinallytookoverhertiredbody.When themorningarrived, thephonealarmbrokeRupali’ssleep.Through the thincurtainson the

windowonher right, sunlightmade itsway intoher room.Evenbefore she’d fullyopenedhereyes,Rupalislidherhandunderneaththepillowandturnedoffthealarm.Shetookamomentbeforeshegotup.Andwhenshedid,shesatonherbedwithherlegscrossed,andfoldedherhandsinprayer.‘Shanti!Shanti!Shanti!’shequicklywhisperedafterwhichsheopenedhereyesagain.‘Finally, thedayhas arrived!’ she thought toherself in delight.She jumpedout of bed andpulled

apart the curtains. A broad smile took birth on her lips as the sun streamed through the window,floodingherroominabundantlight.Themorningviewoutsideherwindowwasbeautiful.Situatedintheextremewest,herhosteloffered

heraviewoftheentirecampusthatspreadintheeast.Overtherallyoftrees,atadistance,shecouldseethegiantclockontheterracetowerofthered-brickcollegeblock.Andjustoutsideherwindow,attheentranceofherhostel,therewasahugelawn.Shecouldseetheshrubsmarkingtheperipheryofit.Ineverycornerofthelawn,thereweremorethanadozenplantswithmulticolouredflowersblossomingon them.Butterflies fluttered from one flower to another.A female gardenerwas busywatering theplants.Rupaliwashappyshe’dgotaroomwithaview.Shelovedthegreeneryandnature.ShestartedhummingafewlinesfromherfavouriteHindisongasshepickedupherthingstogotothecommonbathroomstogetdressed.‘Hi!Areyou from first year too?’Rupali excitedly asked thegirls at the commonwashbasinbay,

mostofwhomwerebusybrushingtheirteeth.Unlikethepreviousevening,thereweremanygirlsinthehostel that day. Some of them reciprocated Rupali’s enthusiasm as they nodded vigorously withtoothpastefrothingintheirmouths.Interestingly, Rupali’s simple ‘Hi’ had broken the icewith quite a few girlswhowere too shy to

initiateaconversationwiththeotherstillthen.Soonthe‘Hi’grewintoaseriesofconversationsaswellasafewcross-conversations.ThisinstantlyputRupaliatthecentreofeverydiscussionthatwastakingplacearoundher to thebackgroundnoisesof toilets flushingon the leftand tapwater running in thebathroomsontheirright.

From introducing each other to becoming acquaintances and, from that, to discover new friends,thingsquicklychangedintoahappychatteratvariouswashbasinsonvariousfloorsofthathostelthatmorning.Unlikeothers,Rupaliwasveryquickwithhermorningchores.Shewasn’tconfusedaboutwhatshe

wasgoingtowearonherfirstdaytocollege.Asamatteroffact,shehadalreadykeptasideallthatshewastowear—awhitechuridar,apinkkameezalongwithawhitedupatta.Shematchedherattirewiththewhitesandalsthatshehadchosenforherselfwhenherfatherhadtakenheroutforshopping.Sheputonherpinkearringsandthebanglesthatherbrother,Tanmay,hadboughtforherwithhispocketmoney.Adaintywatchonherleftwristandatouchofherfavouritelight-pinklipstickcompletedherlook.Justasshewasabouttostepout,arhythmictick-tackofhighheelsfromthefarendofthecorridor

cametoadeadstopoutsideherroom.Thentherewasaknockatthedoor.Rupaliopenedthedoor.Therestoodagirlinskin-tightbluedenimsandblackstilettos.Shewaswearingalooseoff-shoulder

light grey T-shirt that showed off the straps of the black tank top she was wearing under it. Hersunglasseshidhereyesbutexhibitedherstylequotient.Herjawsmovedinarhythmasshecontinuedtochewgum.

Two

AsRupali lookedon,theyounggirl infrontofhertookoffhersunglassestosay‘Hi!’andintroduceherself.‘IamSaloni!SaloniChadda! Ifyouhavebeenallotted this room, then Iamyour roommate!’She

racedthroughhersentence.‘Ohhi!IamRupali.Comeonin.’Rupaliofferedherhand.Salonihappilytookherhandandgaveherahug.Rupali noticedanoldmanwho’dcomeand stoodbehindSaloni.Hegestured toSaloniwho said,

‘Hanjikaka,idharandarrakhdo,’askinghimtokeepherluggagenearthevacantbedontheothersideoftheroom.Rupali lookedshocked.Shecouldnothelpbutwonderwhat theoldmanwasdoing insideagirls’

hostel.Asifreadingher thoughtsSalonigaveashort laughandexplainedthathewasherdriverandhadaccompaniedhertodropherluggage.‘Oh,that’sokay,’Rupalisaid.Assoonasthedriverleft,thetwoofthemspentafewminutesgettingtoknoweachother.Salonitold

RupalithatshemightnotbestayingbackatthehosteleverydaysinceshewasfromNoida.Andeventhoughshedidn’tneedtostayatthehostel,she’dchosenittogetprivacyfromherfamily.Rupali was again shocked at what this girl told her. She would have loved it if her family lived

aroundDelhiandifshedidn’thavetostayatthehostelbyherself.FromSaloni’sclothesandbehaviourRupalicouldmakeoutthatshebelongedtoarichfamily.‘Shelookslikeapamperedchild.Herfather’sinfluencemusthavegotherthisroom.Otherwiseina

scenariowherehostelroomsareinshortsupplyforstudentsfromotherstates,someonefromtheNCRwouldn’thavemanagedtogetone,’Rupalithought.‘Alrightthen,Iamgoingtocatchupwithmyfriendsincollege.Iwillseeyouintheevening!’Saloni

saidandturnedtoleave.‘Arey,areywait!EvenIamabouttoleave,’Rupalisaidandrushedtograbhertiffinbox.Shepicked

twoladdoosandofferedonetoSaloni.Salonilookedatitandblewaballoonoutofthegumshewaschewing.Whenitburstinhermouth,

shesaid,‘Muhmeinchewinggumhai,aglibaarkhaloongi.’(Iamchewinggum.I’lltakeitnexttime.)RupalistoodwatchingasSalonileft.Shewonderedifinthecomingdaysthetwoofthemwouldget

alongwellwitheachother.Thenshe lookedatherwatchandrealizedthatshewasgettinglatefor theorientationprogramme.

Sheplacedtheextraladdoobackinhertiffinboxandatetheotherone.Afteralast-minutestrugglewiththedoorlockofherroom,Rupaliwalkedintothecorridorsofher

hostel.Asshepassedby,sheoverheardgirlsinvariousgroupschattingamongthemselves.Shesmiledat a few but didn’t stop to talkwith anyone. She didn’twant to be late for the principal’swelcomespeechattheorientationvenue.Withabaghangingacrossherrightshoulder,shewalkeddownthepavedpathinbetweenthegreen

lawnsoutsideherhostel.Alittleahead,shepassedthroughthelineoftallashokatrees.Shelookedallaroundherandappreciatedthegreeneryoncampus.Shewashappythatshehadgotachancetoliveinsuchasurroundingforafewyears.Butasshenearedthecollegeblock,witheverystep,heranxietiesincreased.Itwasanewbeginningforheracademiccareer.Right infrontofherstoodthecollegeinall itsred-brickglory.Hereyesgleamedat thesight.She

sighed. Her first day in DU had finally begun. The whole campus had been transformed into a

celebrationzone.Itwasnothinglessthanafestivalandthattoo,notjustforthefirstyearstudents,butalsofortheirseniorswhoplayedhosttothenewbatch.Atthesmalleateriesnearthecampus’smainentrance,variousstudentshadgatheredtograbaquick

biteofsandwichesandothersnacks.Someamongthemweresippingtea.Unlikethehostel,whichwascalm and quiet, the college block was bustling with noise. Loud conversations and laughter fromvariousdirectionshadgivenalivelyenergytothecampus.Amajorityofthehullabaloocamefromtheseniorcamps.Amidstthecrowd,thefresherscouldbedifferentiatedfromtheirseniorsbytheirbodylanguage.The

facesofthejuniorsradiatedanxiety.Itwas,afterall,theirfirstday.Theseniors,ontheotherhand,werequiteconfidentastheylookedforwardtohavinganinterestingtimeinwelcomingthenewbatchandalsohavingsomefunattheircost.Onlyahandfuloffirstyearstudentsseemedtobeintheircomfortzone,oratleasttheypretendedtobeso,becausetheywerefromDelhi.Thefactthattheyhadfriendsintheolderbatchesofthesamecollegemadethemfeelabitmorerelaxed.An open-air amphitheatre in front of the admin block, right in the centre of the campus,was the

venue for the firstyear students togather.A ladywhowas theprincipal, alongwitha staffofa fewlecturers,allmen,awaitedthestudentsinthewelloftheamphitheatre.Oneofthestaffmemberskeptannouncingonthemike,callingallthefirstyearstudentstogatheraroundthem.Whilemostof thestudentshadreachedon time,a fewwereyet to register theirattendance.Some

sprinted at the lastminute and joined the gathering in the semicircle,wondering if they hadmissedsomethingextremelyimportant.Theprincipalbeganwithawelcomenoteforeveryone,afterwhichshetalkedaboutthehistoryandthegreatnessofthecollege.Givingtheexampleofthefinealumnithatthecollegehadproducedinthepast,shesharedherexpectationsofcarryingonthetraditionofnurturingintelligentmindsandshapingthemintobrightindividuals.Afewlecturersjoinedherlaterandspokeinturns.Theytalkedabouttherulesandregulationsandthedo’sanddon’tsinthecampuspremises.Noteverything that the faculty announcedmade sense to the students.Half the time, the soundwas theproblem.Timeandagainthemikewhistled,screechingintotheearsofthosestandingnearthespeakers.Agroupofsuperseniorswhowerepassingbymockedtheteacheronthemikebyshouting,‘Sir is

saalbhiaapkamikethiknahihua.’(Eventhisyear,youhaven’tfixedyouroldmike.)Mostfirstyearstudentsignoreditbutsomeothersmadeamentalnote.Takingacuefromtherules-and-regulationsspeech,agoodnumberofstudentswantedtoclarifythe

doubtsthathadcroppedupintheirmindsafter listeningtothefaculty.Butthenmanyofthemdidn’twanttograbthelimelightonthefirstdayofcollege.Sotheytriedtopersuadetheirnewlyfoundfriendstoaskontheirbehalf,orthoughtaboutgoingtoseniorstoclarifythesedoubtsforthem,laterinprivate.Afewconfidentboysandgirlsdidgetuptoaskquestionsonthehandmikethatwaspassedtothem,thereby registering their leadership skills among their batchmates.Butmost of them, in return,wereofferedverygenericresponsestotheirveryspecificquestions.Andthatdidn’tleavethemwithahappyfeeling.While, tomany, theentireorientationspeechappeared likeamereformality, itdid fulfiloneimportantpurpose—ithelpedthefirstyearstudentsidentifytheirbatchmates.Theboysusedthetimetotakeagoodlookatthegirlsintheirbatch.Thenextthingontheirmind

wastolearnthenamesofafewprettyfaceswhotheythoughttheywouldsendafriendrequesttoonFacebooklater.Thegirlswerekeeneroncheckingeachotheroutandknowingthelateststyletrendsinthecollege.Whenitcametostyleandfashion,clearlytheDelhigirlshadstolentheshow.Shortsruled.Andthe

shorter theirattire, themoreattention theygrabbed.Withapairofsunglassesperchedonhernose,aslingbagwiththestraprunningacrosshershoulder,bigearrings,hairleftuntiedandasmartphoneinherhand—the typicalDelhigirlwasahead-turner.When it came to theboys, foragoodnumberofthem,theevergreenjeans–T-shirtorshirtremainedtheunofficiallyofficialattire.Thereweresomewho

worekurtaswithjeansandchappals,stylepickedupfromtheirseniors—thatcombinationhadbecomeacoolfashionstatementintheuniversity.The moment the welcome speech session was over, the new batch was asked to disperse. The

students steppedout of the amphitheatre,walking towards theopen lawns in the campus.And that’swheretheirsurpriseofthedayhadbeenwaitingforthem.Someonefromthecornerofthelawnshadswitchedonthemusicsystem.Apeppynumberfroma

Bollywoodblockbusterbegantoplay.Thespeakers,especiallyinstalledforthedayatthecornersofthecampus lawns, instantly came alive and caught everyone’s attention.Attracted by the loud strains offoot-tappingmusic,studentsrushedtowardsitfromeverynookandcornerofthecollege.Thissurprisehad certainly brought a smile to every face.Gradually, the volumewent up and the loud centralizedwooferthumped,alongwitheveryone’sheartbeats.All of a sudden, from somewhere in the crowd, one boy ran to the centre of the lawn and began

dancingtothemusic.Hewasanexcellentdancerandinstantlydrewalotofattention.Headsturnedandsoon every eyewas focused on him.The students began to clap andgather around in a circle as hecontinued to dance.Whilemany from the first year didn’t understandwhat had just happened, theysurelylikedwhattheywereseeing.Asmarterbunchoffreshersdidn’truleoutthepossibilitythatthiswasthefirststeptowardstheraggingthatwastofollow.Someevenshoutedouthisname.Thenextmoment,whenthetrackchanged,adozenboysandgirls

rushedtothecentreofthelawnandjoinedhim.Theyweren’tfromthebatchthathadassembledatthewelcomespeechvenue.Theylookedliketheywerefromaseniorbatch.Theywereall insyncanditseemedtheyhadpractisedalotbeforecominghere.Someoneinthecrowdfigureditoutandshouted,‘It’saflashmob!’Then,justassuddenly,themusicstopped.Everyonelookedaroundsurprised.Theeuphoriccrowdwasabouttobreakawaywhentheyheardavoiceonthespeaker.‘Hello,dearfirst-yearstudents!’Everyonebegantolookaroundtoseewherethevoicewascomingfrombutcouldnotseetheguyon

themike.‘We, the second year students of this college, welcome the first year students in style. Hu!

Huuuuuuuuu!’hehooted.Inresponse,thesecondyearbatchcheeredloudly.Thefirstyearstudentshappilycontinuedtolookhereandthereinsearchofthemissingface.Thevoicecontinued,‘Soboysandgirlsfromthefirstyear,thisflashmobisjustforyou.Thisisour

first-daygifttoyou.Sodoe-n-j-o-y!’andthevoicesignedoffinstyle.Atthatnote,themusicresumed.Andsodidthedance.Noonecouldfindoutwhosevoiceitwas.Thistimeallhandsfromthefirst-yearbatchwentup.Theyclappedintheair,theytappedtheirfeet

ontheground.Loudscreamsandwhistlesfilledtheatmosphere.Undoubtedly,theicebetweenseniorsandjuniorshadbeenbrokeninabrilliantway.Bythefinaltrackofthemedley,theentiresecondyearbatchwasperforming.Surroundingthemina

circlewerethefirstyearstudents.Ultimately,theytoojoinedthesecondyearbatch.Whenthemusicendedandthestudentspausedforbreath,theseniorsandjuniorsshookhandsand

huggedeachother.Therewasacheerallaround.Ithadindeedbeenagreatstarttotheyear!Therestoftheorientationdayforthefresherswentinfamiliarizingthemselveswiththecampus,its

eateries and popular haunts. Students collected their timetables and syllabi. There was a lot ofinteractionwiththeseniorstoo.Afterlunchtherewasananti-raggingsessionplannedbythefinalyearstudents.Thestudents’union

atDelhiUniversityhadstagedastreetplayinfrontoftheadministrativeblockofthecollege.Several

membersoftheunionhadcomecarryingtheirparty’sofficialflag.Everyfirstyearstudentwascalledforthesessionandthentherewasthestreetplay.Notjustthepartyinpower,butotherpoliticaloutfitstoowerepresentatthevenue.Theirmembers

wore T-shirts with their respective party’s name and slogan on it. After the session was over, thevolunteersof theprimeoppositionpartyinDUreachedout tothefirstyearstudentstosignthelargewhite banner they had specially prepared for their anti-ragging campaign. A ragging-free DelhiUniversityisourvision...readthewhiteboard.Asasked,thenewbatchpledgedthattheywouldneithertolerateragging,andwillreportthematter

totheadministration,norwouldtheyindulgeinraggingastheymoveduptheacademicladder.Amidthesloganchantingbyalltheparties,thesecondhalfofthedayhaddonnedapoliticalcolour.

Members of all the political outfits took this as an opportunity to reach out to the new batch. Theyintroducedthemselvesaswellastheparty’scandidateswhoweresupposedtostandfortheupcomingelections.Aspartoftheirintroductions,thestudentpoliticaloutfitsseizedtheopportunitytoseekthevotesandtheinterestofthefirstyearstudentsfortheirparty.OneofthemostawaiteddaysforRupalihadturnedouttobeaveryeventfulone.Butitwascoming

toanend.Shehadthoroughlyenjoyedherfirstdayoncampus.Intheevening,whenthegirlsfromherbatchwerebusytalkingtotheirnewfriends,Rupaliwasoutaloneonthelawninfrontofherhostel,theonethatwasvisiblefromthewindowofherroom.Inoneofthecorners,closetotheroad,shehaddugoutsomeearth.Herhandsweresoiledanddirt

clung to theanklesofherchuridar.Away from thehostel thatbyeveninghad turnedvociferous, theatmosphereinthegardenareainfrontofthegirls’hostelwaspeaceful.Hardlyanyonewalkedinandoutofthehostelatthattimeoftheday.AsRupalicontinuedtodigouttheearth,shekepthummingasong.Shewascompletely involved inherchorewhenallofasudden,a racing jeepbrakedandabruptly

came toahalton the road, right in frontofRupali.The soundof thevehiclecoming to rest atoncebrokeRupali’sconcentration.Shelookedup,surprised.Itwasanopengreen jeepwithbannersstuckonbothsidesof thevehicle.Afewparty flagswere

lyingonthebackseatofthejeepwheretwoboyssatfacingeachother.Therewasanotherboyseatednexttotheguyatthewheel.Allfourofthemwerewearingkurtasandjeansandlookedliketheywereseniorswhocertainlybelongedtosomepoliticalparty.AssoonasRupalispottedthem,shequicklypickedupherdupattathatwaslyingnexttoheronthe

groundanddrapeditbackon.Thesuddenarrivalofseniorboysmadeherextremelyconscious.Boththeguysonthefrontseatgotoutofthevehicleandwalkedtowardsher.AhesitantRupaligotupandwentbackasteportwo.‘Yehgaddhakyunkhodrahinhainaap?’ (Whyareyoudiggingthishole?)askedtheguywhohad

beendrivingthevehicle.ThethickbeardonhisfaceandhisdeepvoicescaredRupali.Herheartraced.‘Ahm . . . actually, I was . . .’ Rupali had only managed to say that, when she was suddenly

interrupted.‘JabHindibhaashameinsawaalkiyahaimaine,tokyaaapHindimeinuskauttarnahidesaktin?’

(WhenIhaveaskedyouthequestioninHindi,canyounotrespondinHindi?)theguywiththebeardinterrogated her. ‘Kahaan ki rahne wali hain aap?’ (Which place are you from?) he asked anotherquestion.‘JihumPatna,Biharkerahnewaleyhain,’(IamfromPatna,Bihar)sherepliedhesitantly.‘Hum?’ the guy on the front seat picked up on her response, looked at his friends and burst into

laughter.Theytoolaughed.TheguywiththebeardkeptstaringatRupaliandonlypassedasmilethatwasn’tasoffensiveasthe

laugh.

‘Areyoujustoneorareyoutoomany?’thebeardedguyaskedher,thistimeinEnglish.Rupaliwassurprisedathissuddenswitchoflanguage.Hewasflawlessinboth.Rupali couldn’t say anything, but kept wondering for a while. Even though she gathered enough

couragetospeakup,shestammered,‘Sh...ShallI...a...a...answerinEnglishor...in...inHindi?’This led to another bout of laughter amongst the gang. The bearded guy didn’t even smile, but a

momentlater,hesaid,‘Youdon’tneedtoanswerthatone.’Rupalisighedwithreliefandwipedthesweatonherforehead.Andwhiledoingso,sheunknowingly

endedupsmearingthedirtfromherhandsonherforehead.‘Sotellus,whywereyoudigging?’theguyresumedtheconversationandfoldedhisarmsacrosshis

chest.Inresponse,Rupalibentdownandpickedupasmallplasticbagtoherleft.Sheopeneditinfrontof

everyoneandpulledoutasaplingfromwithinit.Sheshowedittoeveryone.Itwasatinytulsiplant.‘Iwasabouttoplantthis,’shesaidwithoutfumblingthistime.‘Lobhai,toabPatna,Biharwaley,Delhimeinharit-krantilekeaayenge!’(So,nowthepeoplefrom

Patna,Bihar,willbringthegreenrevolutiontoDelhi!)oneofthetwoboysonthebackseatofthejeepsaidsarcasticallyandclappedhishands.Hisfriendsjoinedin.Suddenly,thebeardedguyraisedhishand,gesturingatthemtostop.‘Don’twehaveenoughplantsalreadyinthecampusandhostel?’heaskedRupali.‘No,it’snotlikethat,’shesaidinhaste.‘Thenwhat’stheneedforthisone?’thefront-seatguyprobed.Allthiswhile,amiserableRupalikeptwonderingifshecouldaskthemwhotheywereandwhythey

wereaskinghersomanyquestions.Butthensomethingtoldhernotto.Unabletoholdeyecontactfortoolongwiththeolderboys,whomshedidn’tevenknow,Rupalifirst

framedherthoughtsandthenansweredsoftly,‘Todayismyfirstdayinthiscampus.Itwillbethefirstdayforthisplantinthiscampusaswell.’Shewonderedifheranswerwasmakinganysensetothem.However, shecontinued, ‘. . .For thenext fewyears, as Igrowhere, I alsowant to see thisplant

growingalongwithme.Thisplantisthesymbolofmydreams.Iwanttotakecareofit.Oneday,Iwillleavethiscampus,butthisplantwillcontinuetobehere.EvenwhenIamgone.’Forawhileshedidn’thearanycounter-questionstoherresponse.Sosheraisedhereyestolookupat

thefaceoftheguywhostoodinfrontofher.Hewasstaringatherwithhisdeepdarkeyes.Hedidn’tsayanything.The restof theboys lookedat eachotherandwaited for their leader to interrogateherfurther.Buthedidn’tsayasinglething.Hesimplywalkedbackandsatbehindthewheelagain.Unabletounderstandhisstateofmind,theotherguytoowalkedbackandsatinsidethejeep.Theignitionwasturnedon.Theacceleratorpressed.Andinnotime,thejeepleft.Amidtheleftover

smokefromtheexhaustof the jeep,arelievedyetanxiousRupalistoodtherewith thesaplinginherhand.Hereyesfollowedthejeeptillittookaturnbehindthehostelblock.Bythenshe’dforgottenthesongshehadbeensinging.

Three

Thesemesterhadfinallybegun.Thefestivitieswereoverandaseriousacademiclifehadmadeitswayinto the livesof thehundredsof students.Noone realizedhowquickly the firstweekof collegegotover.Afterabusyweekfilledwithclassesandtakingnotes,thefirstweekendofferedamuch-neededbreaktothestudentstoadjusttotheirnewlives.Besides completing their college assignments, the students utilized theweekend to finish pending

tasks like buying new prepaid SIM cards, updating phonebooks and so on. Some first year studentsshuffled their rooms in the hostel based on new friendship circles that had sprung up at the collegecanteenandinthecorridorsofthehostels.Thenewlyformedgroupsofgirlsalsowentouttowatcharecentlyreleasedmovie.Whileamajorityoftheboysstayedbacktoplayagameofcricketwithintheirhostelcompound,somewentouttoexploretheoptionofbuyingasecondhandbikeforthemselves.Withinaweekofthefirstsemester,friendshipsandacquaintances,fromtherealworldhadalsogot

transferred to theonlineworld.Friendrequests, inbulk,hadbeensentandacceptedonFacebook. Insomeinterestingcases,thesmartgirlshadmadethedesperateboyswaitfortoolong,onlytorejecttheirfriend requests later.Whowas single andwhowas in a relationship,was all clear by the endof theweek.Butunlikeothers,Rupaliwasn’t a social-networkingbuff at all. Shedidn’t evenhave aFacebook

account.Saloni,herroommate,hadfoundthisveryodd.Shecouldnotimaginealifethatwasonlyledin the realworld.She insisted thatRupali open an account.ButRupali stuckon in her refusal.AndwhenSalonifailedtopersuadeRupaliwithherreasoning,shemadeafunnymovetoconvinceher.ShemadeRupaliswearonherbrotherTanmay’sphotographthatadornedRupali’sstudytable.Rupaliwastrulyshocked.WhywasitsoimportanttohaveanFBaccount?AndwhywasSaloniso

dramaticalways?Seeingherroommate’sastonishedface,Saloniimmediatelythoughtofanotherargument.Certainly,

shewasn’tgoingtogiveupsosoon.‘Areybaba,youwillbeable toconnectwithTanmaysoeasilyonFacebook.Don’tyouwantyour

familytoseeyourpicturesfromyourhostellife?’Now thatwas amaster stroke!Whyhadn’t she thought of it before!Of courseRupaliwanted her

familytoseeherinhernewset-up,butshestillwasn’tsure.But thatwasenough forSaloni.Shehadher foot in thedoor.Andwithinanhour, shehad finally

taken her roommate to the digitalworld.Rupali had a Facebook profile alongwith a profile picturefreshlyclickedonSaloni’s6-megapixelphone—somethingthathelpedSalonijustifytheneedaswellasthepricetagofherbelovedgadget.Interestingly,unlikeSaloni’spreviousclaimthatshewouldnotstaybackinthehostelonweekends,

shedid stay thatwholeweekend.Rupaliwondered if her roommatewould ever thinkof leaving thehostelandgoingbacktoherparents’place.

Itwasthemiddleofthesecondweek.Aftertheclasseshadgottenover,Rupaliasusualwasonherwaybacktoherhostelwhenhereyesfellonthenoticeboard.AflorescentA4-sizepaperwithpicturesofmusical instruments on itsmarginshung from the topof theboard.Thepictureson that bright pagecaughtherattention.Shestoppedinordertotakeacloserlook.Assheread,abigsmileappearedonherface.Itwasaninvitation.Theofficialmusicclubofthecollegehadinvitedthefirst-yearbatchtojointhem. It talked about a selection process that had a round of auditions, which were due late thatafternoon.

Rupali lovedsinging.InPatna,shehadbeenanactivememberofherschool’smusicclub.Havingwonacoupleofprizesandlotsofaccoladesinherschool,shehadalwaysdreamtofparticipatinginoneofthemusicrealityshows.Haditnotbeenforthelimitedmemoryofhermobilephone,shewouldn’thavehadtodeleteoldsongstoaccommodatenewones.Downloadingsongstoherphoneandmanagingthelimitedmemoryofhermobilehadbecomeherbiweeklyroutine.Shehadplannedthatthedayshewouldearnherownmoneyshewouldbuyagoodmulti-gigsongstoragedeviceforherself.Not justthat,shehadplanstobuyandinstalaDolbysurroundsoundsysteminherhouse,thatshewouldswitchoneverymorningwhileshegotreadyforwork.Musickepthergoing.Evenwhenshewasaloneinherroom or busy doing something on her own, she would keep humming her favourite songs. A habitwhichherfriendsandfamilyfoundannoyingattimesbecauseshecompletelylostherselfinthesongsandrefusedtoevenhearthem.Sowhenshesawthenoticeforthemusicclub,shedidn’tneedtothinktwiceaboutappearingfortheauditions.Onherwaybacktoherhostel,shekeptthinkingofthesongshewouldsing.In the excitement of joining a music club, she could not eat her meal properly. And once she’d

decidedonthesong,sherehearseditafewtimesinherroom.ItwasoneofherfavouriteghazalsfromanoldHindimovienamedBazaar.Sungby the legendaryLataMangeshkar, theghazalhadpeculiarlyrics—Dikhaaidiyeyu,kebekhudkiya—somethingthatmadeitveryspecialforher.Sherememberedthelyricsbyheart.HerattemptatpractisingitinherroomhadpartlywokenupSaloni,whowasinthehabitoftakinganafternoonnapbecauseshestayeduppartyingtilllateinthenight.WhenRupaliwasabouttostepoutofherroom,Saloniaskedherwhatwassheupto.Onfindingoutthereasonshegiggledinherlightheadednessandsaid,‘Isthatthereasonyouhave

beenhummingforsolong?’‘Yeah,’Rupaliresponded,alittleembarrassed.‘Who is goingwith you for the audition?’ Saloni asked turning on her side tomake herselfmore

comfortable.‘Idon’tknowabouttheothers.Ireadtheinviteonthecollegenoticeboardandmadeupmymindto

goforit.Allright,Iamleavingnow!’shesaidandsteppedoutoftheroom.‘Okay,goodluck!’Salonishoutedbehindherandwentbacktosleep.Rupalireachedtheauditionvenue.Itwastobeheldinaclassroomonthesecondfloor.Astheclasses

wereover for theday, thewholebuilding seemedwayquieter than in themornings.However, therewereafewstudentsbusyinstallingtheacousticsandinstruments.Rupalilookedfromonesideofthespaciousroomtotheother.Thebenchesinthefrontrowsnearthe

blackboardhadbeenpushedtothesides.Aguywhowastryingtounwindthetangledwiresofafewelectricguitarsnoticedherandasked,‘Yes?’‘Iamherefortheaudition,’shesaidenthusiastically.Theguylookedathiswristwatchandsaid,‘Thenyouarewellbeforetimeforthat.Therearefifteen

moreminutestogo.’‘Oh!’sheuttered,alittletooloudly.Suddenlyeveryonelookedupfromwhattheyweredoingandstaredather.Shesmilednervously,unsureofwhattodowithherself.Shelookedatherwatch.Inherexcitement

shehadnotpaidattentiontothetime.Shebegantowonderifsheshouldwaitthereorcomebacklaterasshedidn’tknowanyonethere.‘Don’tworry,tillthetimewestart,youcanwaithere,’agirlsuggested.Sheseemedtobetheonly

otherfemaleinthatclassroomapartfromRupali.Rupalifeltcomfortablewiththat.‘Okay,thanks,’shesaidwithasmile.Thegirlwalkedtowardsherandasked,‘Soyouarefromthefirstyear,right?’‘Yes.MynameisRupali.Backatmyschool,Iusedtosing.Iamsohappytoseeamusicclubherein

college.When I read about today’s audition I got very excited. That’s the reason I came early . . .’Rupaliblurted.Theothergirlsmiled.‘Nicetomeetyou.I’mSheetalfromthefinalyearandthisisourband.Letme

introduceourbandtoyou.That’sSwami,’shesaidpointingtowardsa thinguywitha longishbeard.‘Heplaysthedrumsaswellasthetabla.RaghuandMirzaoverthereplaytheelectricguitar.AndthatisHarpreet,’ she said introducing a tall guywith a turban and clear fair skin. ‘Heplays thekeyboards.Tenzingisavocalistandourleadsinger.Herepresentsourclubattheuniversitylevel.TheDUcrowdloveshimwhenhesings...’Asshecontinuedtotakeafewmorenames,themembersrespondedbyeitherwavingahandorby

smilingback.Tenzingseemedtohavethemostplayfulcarefreesmile,Rupalinoted.‘We all are from different streams and different years and we look forward to welcoming a few

studentsfromyourbatchintoourclubtoo,’Tenzingshoutedwhilebringingthemikeuptohislevel.Rupalismiled.Shewouldlovetobeapartofthisgroup,shethought.Bythetimetheinstrumentswerefullyinstalled,itwasalreadytenminutespastfour.Alittleoverthe

timetheyhadbeenaskedtoreport.BythenallthemusicenthusiastsfromRupali’sbatchhadgatheredintheroom.Rupalicountedthatthereweresomesevenofthem,apartfromher.Shewastheonlygirl.Theclubhadplannedtostarttheauditionprocesswiththeirself-introductionsbyplayinganumber.

It was a musical introduction-cum-welcome from the club members for the new students keen onjoining.Thebandtunedtheirguitarsandsyncedthemwiththekeyboardandtheguyonthetablatunedhis

instrumentsattherightscale.‘Ready?’Tenzingaskedaloud.Everyonenodded.‘1...2...3...4...’andfingersranonthestringsoftheguitarandtappedoverthetabla.Allofa

suddentheclassroomcamealivewiththevibrationsandthemelodyoftheinstruments.Withinsecondsthepulsatingtuneenergizedeveryonepresent,especiallythenewcomerswhobegantappingtheirhandsandfeettotherhythm.ItwasapiecebyaPakistaniSufiband.Rupaliwasdelightedandonecouldseeitonherglowingface.Sheknewthelyricswellandcouldn’t

waitforthesingertopickupthefirstline.Andwhenhedid,shesangalong.Themembersofthemusicclub,whowerenotparticipating,boostedthemoraleoftheirfriendsbycheeringinburststhroughouttheperformance.Afterfiveminutesorso,whenthesongended,everyonegavethebandathunderingapplause.The

performance, on the one hand, had set high expectations for those who had gathered to give theaudition,andontheotherhand,hadchargedupeveryonetogivetheirbest.Whentheauditionbegan,Rupaliwasthefirsttosing.Twooftheboysfromthefirstyear,whowere

theretoplaytheinstruments,toojoinedher.Oneoccupiedtheseatbehindthecongoandanotherstoodbehindthekeyboards.Theytookafewminutestodiscusshowtogoaboutit.Theguyonthekeyboardswasn’ttoosureif

heknewthescaleandthetuneofthisghazalfromamucholderdecade.Buthesaidthathewouldtrytomanage.Assoonastheywereready,thekeyboardsguygaveathumbsup.Rupalinoddedandclosedhereyes.Shewasabouttostart.Rupalibeganwithalongaalaap,whichwasherowncustomizedadditiontotheghazal.Butbefore

she could arrive at her first pause to catch a breath, something happened. She heard a loud noiseapproachingtheroom.Sheopenedhereyesinfear.Everyonewaslookingtowardsthedoor.Suddenly,amobofaboutadozenpeoplerushedinandbeganvandalizingthewholeset-up.‘Youwillnowsing inclassrooms . . .haan?What is this—aclassroomoryourmusic school . . .

haan?’Someoneintheapproachingmobshouted.‘Breaktheirfuckingguitarsandtheirbloodymikes,’someoneelseyelled.

‘This must be this chinki’s idea to do events in classrooms now,’ someone else passed a racialcommentonTenzing.Tenzingwanted to react.Hewas in twominds.As themoboutnumbered theirgatheringhedidn’t

havemuchofachoice.Besides,thereweretwogirlswiththem.Hisfirstprioritywastosafeguardthestudentsandthenhisinstruments.Itwasn’twiseonhisparttogetintoascuffle.Thesuddennesswithwhichallthathappeneddidn’tgivehimenoughtimetomakeuphismind.The

next second, there were noises of benches being thrown here and there and of people breaking theinstruments.Thefirstyearstudentswhohadcomefortheauditionstoodupinshock.Theguysfromthemusic

groupjumpedtostopafewinthemob.Theyshoutedtheirnamesandaskedthemwhattheywereupto.Sheetal ran towards Rupali to protect her. She pulled her against the wall, next to the blackboard.Tenzingandhis teamattempted to save their instruments.Theykept shoutingat a fewpeople in thegroup,askingthemtostoptheruckus.Butthemoboutnumberedthemembersofthegroup.Luckily,noonehitanyone.Beforeanyonecouldmakeanysenseofwhatwashappening,aguitarwasbroken,thedrumswere

puncturedandarawfearwasinstilledinthemindsofthenewcomers.

Four

‘Butwhowerethesepeople?’Laterintheeveningthatday,atShafi’steashop,membersofthemusicclub,alongwiththefirst-year

students,hadgathered.BehindawideservingareaatthecountersatShafi,theowner,whowasknownforhisjollynature.It

wasn’t justa teashop.Foranything, thepaintedredsectionsontheotherwisewhitewallsof theshopadvertised thebrandingofCoca-Cola.Stacksof crateswith emptycolddrinkbottles alongwith twofridgesfullofsealedbottlesstoodnexttoeachotherjustoutsidetheshop.Theshopservedallsortsofpackaged snacks and offered a limited variety of evening snacks like samosas and pakodas.Yet, theshopwascalledateashop,forthespecialmasalateaitserved.EvenstudentsfromothercollegeswhichwerenotintheimmediatevicinityoftheshopwouldturnupatShafi’stosipacupofthisspeciality.Shafi took great pride in telling the world that he used some unique herbs in his tea. When hiscustomers enquired about the same, hewould take similar pride in telling them that itwas his tradesecret.Not that hehadn’t ever revealed it to anyone.Till not so longbackheused todo so.ButhestoppedtellingpeoplethedayhelearntthateventhemakersofCoca-Colathathesold,didnotsharetheirtradesecret.PeoplehumouredShafi’sprideinhisconcoctionforthegood-naturedguythathewas.Theydidn’t

botherhimmuchaslongastheywereassuredthathewasn’tusinganydruginhistea.ToaddtotheaestheticsofShafi’steashopwasahugebanyantreerootedonlyafewfeetawayfromhisshop,withitsmagnificentbranchesspreadingout invariousdirectionsoverhisshop.Shafihad intelligentlyplacedtwodozenfibrechairsandacoupleoftablesundertheshadeofthatbanyan,therebymakingitaperfecthangoutforstudents.ThemeetingthateveningatShafi’steashopwasn’tplanned.ItwasTenzing’sideatobringeveryone

there.Hewantedtousetheopportunitytotalktoeveryoneandcalmthemdown.Apartfrombeingtheleadingmemberofthemusicclubatcollege,Tenzingwasalsotheheadofthe

culturalclubattheuniversity.Hefeltitwashisresponsibilitytoclarifythematter.‘Pleaselistentomeguys,’hesaidaddressingthegroup.Tenzingupdatedthefirstyearstudentsthatayearbefore,theirmusicclubhadperformedinanevent

organizedbythepresentpartyinpowerinthestudents’union.Backthen,thatpartywasnotinpower.Themusicclubwasnotawarethattheleadersofthatpartywantedtogatherthecrowdthroughamusiceventandlatermaketheirappealforvotetothem.Theclubwasneverintoanyelectiongimmickandhadalwaysstayedawayfrompoliticalequations.Butthepartyhadmanagedtokeeptheminthedarktill the very endof the show.Theywere told that the eventwasmeant to raise a voice in favour ofimproving student life on campus. Itwas about implementing new ideas that the studentswanted tointroduceand todoawaywith theadministration’soutdatedpolicies. Inall, itwasaneventmeant tomakesomenoiseinthedeafearsofuniversityadministration.Tenzingandhisteamwerepromisedthatitwouldn’tbepolitical activity in anyway.Butonce theyhadperformedand thecrowdcheered forthemandagainsttheDUauthorities,thepresentleadingpartybrokeitspromise.Theyannouncedthatthebandfavouredtheirpartyandappealedtothecrowdtovoteforthem.Theverynextdaythemusicclubhadofficiallydeniedtheallegationsofsupportingtheirpoliticalparty,orforthatmattersupportinganyparty inDU.But thedamagewasalreadydone. In thenext fewweeks, thepartyplayedvariouspopulistgamesandcametopoweraftertheelectionswereheld.Unfortunately, the party that got voted out never believed their clarifications. Their members

continuedtothinkthatthemusicclubwastheprimecausefortheirdefeat,oratleast,thatitallstarted

fromtheshowithadperformed.Theimpactoftheirperformanceontheelectionswashighbecauseofthecleanimageofthemembersofthemusicclubandtheissueswhichtheyhadstoodforinthepast.‘The guys who vandalized the set-up today, are people from that very party that was voted out,’

Tenzingsaid.Ashefinished,Tenzingkepttheemptyglassofteabackonthetable.Helookedatthefacesaround

him.Everyonewaslisteningtohisstorywithkeeninterest.Forthepresentmembersoftheclub,itwasanunpleasantwalkdownmemorylane.Somethingtheywishedtheycouldundo.‘Sodoesthatgivethemtherighttovandalizethingswhenevertheywant?Can’twecomplainagainst

them?’theguywhowassupposedtoplaythecongoasked.Tenzinglookedathimandthoughtforasecondbeforehespokeagain.‘Wecan.Butthistimewehad

unintentionallyprovidedthemtheopportunitytodoso.’No one understoodwhat Tenzingmeant when he said that. So he clarified, ‘Actually, we have a

dedicatedmusic room.Andwe are supposed to practise in that roomonly.Toperformanywhereoncampusweneedtotakeofficialpermission,somethingthatwedidn’tdothistime.Thevoltagehasbeenfluctuatinginthemusicroomforthepastfewweeks.Twoofourelectronicguitarshavegonebadandtheadapterofthekeyboardsisdeadbecauseofthisfluctuation.Theadministrationwassupposedtofixthe issuebutasusual themusic room isn’t theirpriority.Takingpermission topractise inadifferentplace is a long process and the department generally doesn’t allow this. Else, we would have thisauditioninthefirstweekofthenewsessionitself.’‘Butthenwehadalsoassumedthatthedepartmentwouldfixtheelectricalmessinthemusicroom,

whichtheydidn’ttillthelastday,despiteourrequests.Withnochoiceleft,wethoughtofusingoneoftheclassroomafter collegehours.Moreover, thepartymemberswhodestroyedour set-up todayhadbeenlyinglowforalongtime.Sowethoughtwecouldgoaheadwithoutfear.’Tenzingpausedforamomentandcontinued‘...thatplannowhasgoneforatoss.Thoseguysmust

havesomehowfoundoutthatwehadn’ttakenpermission.’Ashesighedattheirlapseinjudgementhefeltahandonhisshoulder.‘Chalkoinayaar!Nevermind.Thesethingshappen.’ItwasSheetalpattinghisshoulder,tryingto

cheerhimup.Amomentofsilencepassed.Peopletooktheirtimetodigestthelogicbehindwhathadhappened.It

stillappearedillogicalthatanyonecouldcomeanddamagethingsjustlikethat.Someofthemsippedthe tea slowly, thinkingabout it all.Someof themhung theirheads indisappointment.Someplayedwiththeemptyteaglassesbetweentheirhandsonthetableandkeptstaringatthem.‘Sowhatdowedonow?Can’twetakethehelpof theparty that isatpresent inpower?Afterall,

eventhoughitwasunintentionalfromthemusicclub’sside,theclubisanimportantreasonbehindtheircomingtopower.Theywillsurelyhelpus.’ThiswasRupaliwho’dthoughtalotaboutthis.‘That’snotanoptionforus.Asaculturalclubwehaveclearlyprotestedagainst therulingparty’s

actionslastyear.Ifwereachouttothem,itwillonlyjustifywhattheyhadbeenclaimingtillnow—thatwesangforthem.Wedon’twanttomakethispoliticalagain,’Sheetalsaid.Tenzingthengotupandannounced,‘Wewillmeetafteraweek.Meanwhile,Iwillseekpermission

fromtheadministrationtoissueusaspecificplacetopractise.’‘Alright,then!Nowlet’schangethetopicandtalkaboutsomethingelse,’Sheetalofferedandafew

peoplesmiled.‘Iagree,howaboutanotherroundoftea,guys?’Tenzingraisedhisemptyglass.‘Kyabaathai,Tenzing!Anotherroundofteaforthejuniors!’Harpreetteasedhim.‘AndShafibhai,samosasonlyforHarpreet!’Tenzingshouted,lookingtowardstheteashopcounter.Harpreetlookedconfused,wonderingwhyTenzingwasbeingsonicetohim.‘Youaregoingtorepairthebrokeninstruments,na!’Tenzingchuckled.

EveryonelaughedasHarpreetmadeaface.Withthateveryonebeganchattingamongstthemselves.Whilethejuniorstalkedabouttheirpersonal

backgrounds,themembersofthemusicclubsharedtheirinsightsfromtheircollegeandcampussofar.Theytoldstoriesaboutafewinterestingmusicalnightsthattheyhadhostedinthepastandtheawardsthattheyhadbaggedininter-collegecompetitions.Sheetalmentioned a few funny events from hermemory of previous year’s annual festival at the

universitylevel.WithgreatjoyHarpreetnarratedhowTenzingwasinthemiddleofsingingapatrioticsong when he received an electric shock from his mike on stage. Instantly, he ended up saying ‘OBhen****’onhismike.Everyoneheardhimandthewholepatrioticmoodwentfora toss.Thecrowdwhistledandshouted—‘Oncemore!Oncemore!’Listeningtothat,laughtereruptedallaroundthetablesoutsideShafi’steashop.Itlightenedthemood.

Rupali felt abit awkwardat that,butSheetal’s joyfulpresencenext toherhelped.Soon thesamosasarrived,notjustforHarpreet,butforeveryone.That evening the group didn’t play any music, but a new bond developed on the grounds of a

commoninterest—music.Theauditionsappearedtobeamereformalitynow.Rupaliwouldbeinthegroup for sure. As the only girl who had appeared for the audition, she turned out to be the rightreplacementforSheetal,whowasgoingtopassoutofDUthesameyear.Butamidstallthis,Rupaliwasthinkingaboutsomethingelse;rathersomeoneelse.Itwasafacethat

had looked familiar. The face she had seen among those who had gatecrashed and disrupted theauditions.Hehadn’tsteppedinsidetheclass,buthadstoodattheentrance,hisarmsfoldedacrosshischest,justliketheotherday.Justwhentheywereallsteppingoutofthevandalizedclassroom,shehadtriedtorecallthatface.Andwhenshesucceededindoingso,itcameasashock—hewasthesameguywhohadinterrogatedherontheeveningwhenshehadbeenplantingthesapling.

Five

‘Whatareyousaying?’RupaliaskedSaloniinsheerdisbelief.Itwaslateinthenightandasusualthetworoommateswerebusygossiping.Theirchatsessionshad

startedalmostamonthagoand,whileSaloniwouldoften transform theirmidnight talk intobitchingsessions,Rupaliwouldsit listeningcarefully.Most times,Rupaliwasn’t toobotheredaboutwhatsheheard but she enjoyed being with Saloni and having a friend to talk to. For Saloni there was thesatisfactionoftalkingherheartoutandsharingwhatwasonhermindwithsomeonewhosheknewtobeasensiblegirl—thekinddidn’texistinherownsocialgroup.Butitwasn’tthatSalonithoughtofRupaliasonlyagoodfriendandamaturegirlwhomshecould

trust.TherehadbeentimeswhenSalonihadalsohelpedRupali.ImprovingRupali’sstylequotientandmakinghermorefashionablewasalwaysonSaloni’sto-dolist.‘Isweartochangeyourtypicalbehenji-typefashionsenseintoacosmopolitanone.AndifIdonot,

youcanchangemyname,’Salonihadclaimedandshemadesureshestuck toherwords.TherewasrarelyadayonwhichshedidnotadviseRupalionwhattotakeoffandwhattotryon.Saloni,whowasusuallypossessiveaboutallherbelongings,wasgenerouswithRupali.Shewouldoftenencourageherfriendtowearheraccessories,inspiteofseveralrefusalsfromRupali.AsmuchasRupaliappreciatedher roommate’s gesture, she was embarrassed on certain occasions, especially when Saloni wouldchangeherclothesinfrontofher.RupaliwouldturnherheadtogiveSalonitheprivacythatsheneveraskedfor.Saloniwasaconfidentandboldgirlwhodidnothaveanyproblemsinundressinginfrontofherroommate.Ononeoccasion,when,aftertakingabath,Salonienteredtheroomandthrewasideherwettowel,shehadespeciallyaskedforherroommate’sattention.‘See,Iboughtthispolka-dottedbraformyself.Isn’titsexy?’shehadsaidwhiletryingtohookiton.Rupalihadtobattlehersenseofshametolookatherroommate’sbraandappreciateit.Butgradually,

shelearnttoadjusttohostellife.Attimes,RupalifounditextremelydifficulttoacceptSaloni’sideaofwesternizingsomeonewhohad

livedallherlifeinthedesiattireofsalwarkameez.Notthatshehadanythingagainstwesternclotheslikejeansandskirts,butshefeltuncomfortableintheseclothes.Though,shehadtoadmit toherself,sometimesshewishedtotrythemon.However,shewouldalsowonderaboutwhatherparentswouldthinkiftheysawherinshortskirts.Rupali’sbattlebetweenherwishesandfearswasaninterestingandchallengingspaceforSalonitoinvadeandinfluence.ButcomemidnightandSaloniwasn’therstylecoachanymore.Instead,sheexpectedherfriendto

reacttoheranecdotesfromtheday.‘Really?Youbroughthimhere?’Rupaliexclaimed,double-checkingifwhatshehadheardmoments

beforewascorrect.‘Shhhhh!’Salonihushed,placingherfingeronherlips,hereyeswideopen.Thenshelookedatthe

doorinordertomakesurethatitwaslockedfrominside.Rupalitriedtocontrolherreaction.Sheaskedagain,butthistimeinasoftyetsuspiciousvoice.‘You

broughtImranhere,toTHISroom?’Saloninodded,hereyesgleamingwithmischiefasshesmiledproudly,almostasifshewasexpecting

apatonherbackfromherroommateforherbravery.Afterall,shehadsneakedinaboytothegirls’hostel,thattooinbroaddaylight!Rupaliheldherheadindismay.Sheimmediatelylookedaroundher,wonderingwhatallImranwould

haveseenintheroomthatwaspersonaltoher.‘Howcomeyou...’Rupalihadn’tevencompletedherprotest,whenSalonicutheroffmidwayand

said,‘Don’tworry,asusualyourportionoftheroomwasneatandtidyandnothingwasout.SoImrandidn’tseeanything.Inanycasehewasmoreinterestedinmethaninyourstuff.Okay?’Rupaliwasn’tconvinced.Shelookedworried.‘Teriitniphatttikyunhaiyaar?’(Whydoyougetsoscared?)Salonitriedtocomfortherinherown

way.Rupalididn’tknowwhattosay.Shewasjustnotcomfortablewithhavingaboyinherroom,that’sit.

WhycouldSaloninotunderstandthat!‘Hello!Madam!Iamhavinganaffair.Notyou!Sodon’tbeworriedaboutanything.Chill!’Inher

excitement Saloni got up from her chair and shifted onto her bed. She sat cross-legged. She wasoverjoyedtorevealall thathadhappenedaftershe’dsecretlysneakedImranintotheirroom.ShehadexpectedRupalitosay,‘OhmyGod!Really?Howdidyoudothat?Teachmealso,na!’Butallshegotwassilence.RupalilayonherbedstaringatSaloni.Shewonderedifherroomiewasgutsyormad.Shedecided

Saloniwasabitofboth.‘Youareunbelievable!’Rupalifinallyspoke,shakingherhead.Inspiteofherself,shecouldnothold

backhersmile.Salonitookthatgestureasherrewardforherbraveact.Shethrewherhandsupintheairandsmiled

back.Thensheblewafewflyingkisses.‘You’remad!’Rupalilaughedandfurtherasked,‘Butisn’tImranfromsciencesection?’Seeingherroomie’slevelofinterestincrease,Salonireplied,‘Yes,heis!Buthowdidyouknow?’‘Ijustknow.Butyoufirsttellme,howdidyouguysmeet?’Rupaliinquired.AnoverexcitedSalonijumpedoutofherbedandjumpedintojoinRupalionherbed.‘Udharho,phirsunaatihunsaarikahaani.’(Makesomespace,andIwilltellyouthewholestory.)Salonilovedtellingstories.Shealsoknewhowtomakethemspicyandextragossipy.Shederiveda

lotofpleasureinnarratingthewholeepisodeofhowshehadmetImran,fortheveryfirsttime,atthebasketballcourt.Ithadhappenedinthefirstweekofthesemester.Itwasn’tloveatfirstsightforher.ButshehaddefinitelyfoundImrantobeoneofthemosthandsomeguysinthefirstyearbatch.Whileshewasanamateurinthegameofbasketball,Imranwasachampion.Besideshisgoodlooks,

Imran’s sporty personality was like icing on the cake. Saloni herself was a head-turner on campus.They’dmetquitebycoincidence.Thereweren’tmanygirlswhoplayedbasketballinthefirstyear.Onelateevening,Salonihadjogged

to thebasketballcourt.But findingnoone thereshedecided to jogback to thehostel.Suddenly,sheheardsomeoneshout,askinghertostop.SaloniturnedaroundtoseeImran.Hestoodontheothersideofthecourtinthedark,holdingtheball

inhishands.IttookSaloniafewsecondstospothiminthedarkness.Imranswitchedonthefloodlightsfromthecornerofthecourt.Thelightstooktheirtimetocomeon,onlygraduallylightingupthecourt.‘Youcameheretoplay?’ImranaskedashewalkedtowardsSaloni,jugglingtheballinhishands.‘Yes,buttheothergirlshaven’tcometoday.Iamnotsurewhy,’Salonisaid.‘That’sstrange,notmanyboysturneduptodayaswelland,thosewhodid,leftearly.That’swhyI

hadjustswitchedoffthelights,’Imranexplained.Then therewassilenceasbothdidn’thaveanything tosay.They lookedateachotherandsmiled.

The two of themknew each other’s names, but they pretended as if they didn’t. So they introducedthemselves. Then Imran offered his hand for a handshake. Saloni was delighted to accept. Secretly,ImranwasoverjoyedfeelingSaloni’spalminhisownhand.Theymightnothaveofficiallyknowneachother,buttheyhaddefinitelyhadafewquickinteractions

onthecourtearlier—sometimeswhilepassingtheball,itfellintotheothersideofthecourt.Butthateveningwasdefinitelythefirsttimewhentheywerealonetogether,withnooneelsearoundthem.The

darknessaroundthemtill thefloodlightscameonactuallyhelpedtobuildabond.Till then, theyhadbeenmereacquaintances.Butafterthatevening,theirlivestookadifferentturn.ImraninvitedSalonitoplayagame,ifshedidn’tmind—justthetwoofthem.‘I . . . I don’t know. I amnotverygoodat thegame . . .Andwedon’t evenhave the team,’ she

blurtedout.OfcourseshewantedtoplaywithImranwhennoonewasthere.Thenwhyhadshegiventhissillyexcuse?Shedidn’t know.Sheonly cursedherself andwished if by somemeans she could takeherwords

back.ImrancametoherrescueandofferedaquickreasonforSalonitoplay.‘Oh!Wecanjustplayahalf

courtthree-pointer.Anddon’tworry,I’llhelpyou,’hesaidwithasmile.Saloninodded.Shewas looking forward to Imran’scompany.Theyplayed forabouthalf anhour,

enjoyingeachother’scompany.SalonigaveRupali,wholistenedinraptsilence,adetaileddescriptionofhowwonderfulithadbeen.‘Ohbaby,youshouldlookathimwhenhejumpstodunktheball.Heholdstheringanddoesachin-

up.Toohot tohandle!’Saloni saidclappingherhands,her eyes twinklingas she recountedher lovestorysofar.Rupali heard her as if it was amagical story.Was she going to have her own love story?Would

anyoneeverfallinlovewithher?

Six

Onehotafternoon,Rupalisteppedoutofherhostelforabriefinteractionwithoneofherprofessorstoclearadoubtshehadregardinghispaper.Prof.Mahajantaughtaccountsinthecollege.Hewasoneofthemorewell-known facultymembers.Getting a 10-minute one-to-onemeetingwith himwas a bigdealandhehadacceptedRupali’srequestonlyafterseeingherenthusiasmonthesubject.‘IfIamheredayaftertomorrow,youcancomeby2p.m.,’hehadsaid.Rupaliwouldn’t have required tomeet Prof.Mahajan in person had it not been for the upcoming

studentunionelectionsthathaddisruptedclassesintheentireDUinanunimaginableway.Prominentwallsofthecampusbuildingsshamelesslymockedtheelectionregulators’normofnotpastingbillsandposterson thewall.Theywereallover theplace, from themainentrancegates to inside thecollegetoilets.Amidthehighdramaofpoliticaloutfitsannouncingtheirmanifestosandtheircandidates, theloud

sloganeering and clashes in the campus, and the numerous print media reporters hovering around,attendingclasseswasthelastthingonstudents’minds.ButthentherewerestudentslikeRupali,whoinsteadofwastingtheirtime,thoughtofutilizingthe

same tokick-start theirupcomingprojectworkfor thesemester.Politicsnever interestedRupali.Shewas far apart from theworld of elections, somuch so that, unlike themajority ofDU students, shedidn’tevenknowwhoallwerestandingforthepostsandwhichpartiestheybelongedto.Shewasn’ttoosureifsheknewthenamesofallthepoliticaloutfitsfightingtheelectionsinDUanditdidn’tbotherher.Shehadherpriorities.ShehadcomeallthewayfromPatnatoDelhitostudy.Shewantedtostayawayfromtakingsidesincampuspolitics.RupaliandSaloniwereinthesameprojectgroup.Bothofthemhadoneindividualproject,aswellas

onegroupprojecttocompletebythesubsequentmonth-end.Whenitcametohergroupproject,Rupalihad little expectation fromSaloni. In fact, Saloni hadopted to do a projectwithRupali because sheknewthatshecouldrelaxandletthestudiousgirlintheirgroupcompleteit.Anyinterferencefromherwouldonlybringthequalitydown,iswhatshekeptremindingRupali.Giventhecircumstancesincollegeandthenatureofherroommate,Rupalithoughtitwisetousethe

election period to accomplish asmuch of the project as possible. The projectwas on the subject ofaccountsandshesoughtProf.Mahajan’stimewithregardtothesame.Rupali reached thecollegeon time.Theunofficialmassbunkofall classeshad turned thecollege

blockintoalifelessbuilding.Theopenlawnsandthemainadministrativeblocksstolethelimelight—fortheywerethenewcentresofmassgatherings.Shewalked into the college building amid the abandoned classrooms and took the staircase to go

straighttotheaccountsdepartment.ButwhenshereachedProf.Mahajan’scabin,shefoundthedoorlocked.Shelookedatherwatch.It

wasexactly2p.m.Shewonderedifsheshouldhangaroundforawhile.Theprofessorcouldhavebeenheldup.When he did not arrive even after ten minutes of her waiting, she went to look at other faculty

members’cabinsinthedepartmenttocheckif,byanychance,Prof.Mahajanwasthere.ShecheckedtheHOD’sofficeaswell.Buttoherdismay,shedidn’tfindanyonefromthedepartment.Infact,shedidn’tcomeacrossasinglehumaninthearea.Thewholefloorwasdesolate!Rupaliwasabouttowalkbackindisappointmentwhen,allofasudden,sheheardsomeonerunning

upthestaircaseinherdirection.Itturnedouttobethepeonwhoworkedintheaccountsdepartment.

Finallyseeingafaceonthatdesertedfloor,Rupaliquicklyaskedhim,‘Bhaiya,Prof.Mahajankahanhai,patahai?’(DoyouknowwhereProf.Mahajanis?)‘Prof.Mahajan!Hmmm...’thepeonmurmuredashelookedupattheceiling,tryingtorecallwhere

hehadlastseentheprofessor.Shekeptwaitingtillthepeonlookedbackather,onlytoshakehisheadfromlefttoright.No, he hadn’t seen him around. So he turned back to leave.Giving out a sigh of disappointment,

Rupaliplacedhernotebookbackinherbag.Shehadnochoicebuttogobacktoherhostel.Suddenly,herphone rang.Thesoundof thephoneshockedheras itechoed in theemptycorridor.Shequicklypulleditoutofherbagandlookedatthenumber.ItwasherbrotherTanmaycallingfromPatna.Thissortofcheeredherup.Shequicklyzippedherbagandpickedupthecall.‘Hello,’shesaidsmiling.‘HELLO!’shesaidloudlythesecondtime.‘HELLO . . . be loud, I am not able to hear you,’ Rupali’s loud voice echoed in the silent dark

corridor.‘Yahaan signalnahiaata.Us taraf jaaiye,’ (Thenetwork isweakhere, go to that side.)Thepeon

shoutedfrombehindRupali,pointinghisfingerintheoppositedirectiononthesamefloor.Rupalifollowedtheinstructionsinhaste.Butbythetimeshewalkeddownthedarkcorridorandarrivedontheothersideofthebuilding,the

callhaddropped.Soshetriedtocallback.Butthen,theverynextmomentshedisconnectedthecallfortherewassomethingthathadsuddenlycaughtherattention.Infrontofherwasawindowandtherewassomemovementshecoulddetectinside.Astheoutside

wascomparativelydarker than the inside,Rupalihadaclearviewwithoutanyone from insidebeingabletoeasilynoticeher.Fromanarrowgapinbetweenthepanesofthewindowshesawsomethingthatshookher.Shesawthebackofalady,whofromherdress,appearedtobealadypeonfromthecollege.Shewas

standinginfrontofamanwhosatontheedgeofatablewithhisfeetcomfortablytouchingtheground.Rupalicouldbarelyseehim.Butwhatwasclearlyobviouswasthathewasrunninghishandsoverherback,up insideherblouse.The ladypeon’sbody languageshowedher reluctance.Shewas trying topullherselfoutoftheman’sgrip.Yetshewasn’tshouting,butmurmuring.Sherepeatedlytriedtopulltheman’shandoutofherblouse.Butthemanpersisted,clearlypushinghimselfagainstherwill.Foronemoment,whenthepeonmanagedtostepaway,Rupaliwasabletoseethefaceoftheman.Itwasasifherfearshadcometrue.Prof.Mahajanstretchedhishand tograb thepeon’sarm.Rupaliwasscared.Sheknewshehadno

business being there and that this could be dangerous for her. She pulled herself back and tried tobreathe.Suddenly,shefeltaheaviness,asifawaveofnauseahither.Shebegansweatingprofuselyandfeltasifshewasgoingtothrowup.Wasthisreallyhappeningorcoulditbeanightmare?Butthepeon’slowdistressedvoicetoldheritwasreallyhappening.Shetookamomenttodigestthat

ahighlyrespectedprofessorofhercollegewasactuallyforcinghimselfonaladypeon.Apartofhermindtoldhertorunawayandforgetwhatshehadseen.Butthenthethoughtoftheladypeonbegantobotherherandshestopped.Itwascertainwhatwashappeningbehindthecloseddoorsandwithinthewallsofthevacantfacultyroomwasn’tanactofmutualchoice.Shehadwitnessedthesignsofsilentandhesitantprotestsofthepeon.Andifshewalkedaway,itwouldhauntherfortherestofherlife.Soshethoughttoherselfforafewmoments.Sherecalledherbaba’swords,‘Standforwhatisright

anddonotletevilpersist.’Sheknewwhatshewasgoingtodo.Andwhenshehadmadeuphermind,she looked here and there and stepped closer to thewindow again. Shewas scared of being caughtdoingwhatshewasabouttodo.Yetshewasdetermined.

Rightthen,herphonerang.ItwasTanmayagain.‘Shit!’ she uttered and immediately disconnected the call, and put her phone on silentmode. She

quicklysentanSMStoTanmaytellinghimthatshewouldcallhimbackinawhile.Rupali, with all her guts, turned back to look through the window. Prof. Mahajan had by now

managed to lay the ladydownon the table,hersari ridingall thewayup toherknees.Shewasstilltryingtopushhimaway,buttheprofessorbeingstronger,didnotseemtobother.Rupalicouldhearherpleadingwithhimto leaveheralone.But theprofessorkept tellingher thathewouldlethergoverysoonandallshehadtodowasshowherwillingness.Outsidethewindow,Rupaliquietlyputthecellphonebetweenthewindowpaneandhelditatanangle

behind the curtains. She then zoomed in on the scene and began recording. For the next couple ofminutesshefilmedeverythingthathappenedinsidetheroom.Themomenttheprofessorunzippedhispants,Rupalirealizedthatshecouldn’tbeamutespectator

anylonger.Besides,shewasn’tpreparedtohandletheanticipatedvisuals.Itwastimeforsomeaction.Shealreadyhadenoughevidence.Nowallshehadtodowasrescuethepeon.Sheknewshehadtobediscreet.Soshewenttotheendofthecorridorfromwhereshehadcomeandstartedwalkingbacktowardsthe

samewindow.Thistimeshemadenoisewithherfeet,loudenoughtobeheardbythepeopleinsidethefacultyroom.Shecasually tappedonthedoorandafewwindowpanesandfakedtalkingtosomeoneoverthephone.Shewasloudinherfakeconversationaswell.‘What,youareoutside?Iaminthebuilding.Whydon’tyouallcomehere?Itwilltakeyouaminute.

You guys can do the election campaign planning here!No, no, there is no one here. It’s absolutelyempty,’shesaid,walkingupanddownthecorridor,makingherwordsaudibletothepeopleinsidetheroom.‘Wait.Iwillcomedown.Meetmeatthegroundfloor.Bye,’shesaid.Whenshewasdone,shequietlywalkeddownandwaitedforafewminutesonthegroundfloor.She

realizedthathertrickhadworkedwhen,thenextmoment,shesawthefrightenedpeonwalkingoutofthebuildinginhaste.Astheladypeonspeedilywalkedoutofthebuilding,shelookedhereandthere,asifhopingthatno

onehadseenher.Shewascontinuouslywipinghertears.That’swhenRupalirealizedthatshetoohadstartedcrying.Buthersweretearsofrelief.Shewantedtostopthatlady.Shewantedtospeaktoher;get toknowall thatshehadgone through.Sheknewshewasmakingacompromisebybeingin thatroomwithProf.Mahajan.Shewantedtohelpher.Butperhapsthatmomentwasn’tright.Perhaps,sheshouldgivehersometime,shethought.And then, at the next moment, a thought struck her—the professor might also want to leave the

buildingandmightseeher.Inpanic,shebegantorunandranstraightintoafirmathleticbodyandasetof arms that tried to help her steady herself.At a sharp turn at the corner of the college block, shesuddenlylookedupandhereyesmetasetoffamiliareyes.Hewasthesameseniorwhohadquestionedherabouttheplant.‘S...sorry,I’msorry,’sheblurtedoutasshecametoadeadstop.Helookedupatherandthenineverydirectionacrossthebuilding,asiftryingtofigureoutwhyshe

was running.But he didn’t ask her anything.Rupalimoved away from him and gave aweak smileunderneathhermoisteyes.Hedidn’trespond.Asshewalkedawayfast,shecouldfeelhisstareonherback.‘Who is thisguy?Why ishealways therewheneveranythingbadhappens tome?’ she thought to

herself.

Seven

It tookRupalinearlyaweektotracethatladypeon.Shehadbeenlookingforhereverywhereonthecampussincetheincident.Shewantedtoknowifshewasokay.Shewantedtoletherknowthatshewasthereforherbuttheladyseemedtohavejustdisappeared.Theproblemwasthatwithoutknowinghernameorrememberinganydistinctivefeaturesabouther,Rupaliwashavingatoughtimeinquiringaboutherfromtheotherpeonsoncampus.Oneday,shefinallyfoundherinthegardenareaofthecampus,whereshewasbusycleaning.Rupali

tookaminutetoverifyifshewastheonewhomshehadseentheotherday.Therewereseveralotherladypeonswhoworethesamedressbutsomethingtoldherthatshewasthesamewoman.WhenRupaliwassomewhatcertain,shewalkedtowardsher.‘Didi,’shesaid,addressingherasaneldersister.Inresponse,shelookedupatRupaliquestioningly.Rupalilookedatherfaceandintohereyes.Allthatshehadwitnessedaweekbeforeflashedthrough

hermind. Swathed behind the poor peon’s innocent face,was the pain she had been going through.Rupaliwassensitiveenoughtoseethatandsympathizewithher.‘Bolomadamji?’(Yes,madam?)thepeonbrokeherthoughtprocess.‘Noneedtocallmemadam.Youcancallmedidi,’Rupalisaidwithasmile.‘Jididi,’thepeonacknowledgedwithasmile.Rupaliwashappytoseethesmileonherface.‘Kyanaamhaiaapka?’(What’syourname?)Rupaliaskedher.‘Ah...Raheema,’shereplied,wipingthesweatoffherforehead.Rupali, in turn, introduced herself. She then asked her if she ever came to the hostel building.

Raheemarepliedthatsheseldomvisitedthehostelblock,asherdutieswerelimitedtothecollegeblockonly.ButshedidaskRupalithereasonforherquery.Notsureabouthowtoinitiatethedifficultconversation,Rupalilied.Shetoldherthatshehadbeen

lookingforamaidwhocoulddothedustinginherroom.Ithadbeenmorethanamonthsinceshehadmovedintothehostelandnowtherewerespiderwebsinthecornersoftheceiling.Shealsomentionedabout cleaning the cupboard tops andwindowpanes andgrills.Rupali said that shewould like somehelpwithitifpossibleandthehelperwouldbeabletoearnsomethingextraattheendoftheday.Afterknowing the reason,Raheemahappily referredher friend toRupali.Shesaid thatoneofher

friendswhoworkedinthehostelmessalsoworkedforthegirlsinthehostelafterdutyhours.SheaskedRupaliforherroomnumbersothatshecouldsendherfriendtoherroom.Rupalifeltabit

disappointed.Sheneededtotalktothisladyandnowshewouldn’tbeableto.Sowhenshewasabouttopickupher broom from the ground,Rupali held her armand said, ‘Nodidi, thatmaid in the hosteldoesn’tcleanwell.Youcome.’SeeingthewayRupalihadheldherarm,Raheemafeltsomethingdifferent.Shewonderedifcleaning

herroomwasallthatRupaliwantedfromher.Yet,listeningtoRupali’spersistentrequests,sheagreedtocometoherhostelroom,butonlyintheevening,onceshehadcompletedherday’swork.Rupalitoldherthatshewasabsolutelyfinewithit.

‘Don’tbescared,didi.Youcanspeakfreelywithme,’Rupalisaid.Itwasevening,andasdecided,Raheemawas finally inRupali’s room.Salonihadgoneoff to the

basketballcourt.Inherabsence,Rupalifeltcomfortableholdingaprivateconversationwiththepeon.RupalihadmadeRaheematakeherchair,whilesheherselfsatonthebed.Withherlegscrossedand

acushiononherlap,Rupaliwascontinuouslypersuadingtheladytospeakup.

‘Tellmeplease,don’tbescared,’Rupaliinsistedonemoretime.More than fifteenminuteshadpassedsinceRaheemahadarrived,but shewasnot inaposition to

answeranyofRupali’squestions.ShelookedhesitantandRupalicouldunderstandwhy.ForRaheema,probablyoneofherworstfearshadcometrue.Herdarksecretwasnomorelimitedtoherself.Afterall,someonehadseenherinacompromisingsituationwithaman,ontheverycampuswheresheworked.Andthatsomeonewassittingrightinfrontofheranddemandingananswerfromher.Howdoesshefacethissomeone?Whatalldidshereallysee?Wasitjustasmuchasshehadsaid—

theprofessorforcinghimselfuponher?Wouldthissomeoneeverunderstandherstateofmindnow,andmore importantly then,when shewas beingmolested?How is she, Raheema, any different from theotherwomenwho sell their bodies in return formoney,which she had been doing in return for thefavour thatMahajanhadoncedoneher? Scores of such questions clouded hermind and she didn’thave an answer to any of them.Whatever it was, at thatmoment, shewasn’t prepared to hold anyconversationwiththegirlwhowasprivytoherlife’scloselyguardedsecret.Inhermind,shebelievedshewastheculprit.Rupalikeptoninsistingandtryingtomakehertalk.ButRaheemawaslostinherfearfulthoughts.

ThenexttimewhensheheardRupali’svoiceandbecameconsciousofwhereshewas,shewonderedwhoallRupaliwouldhavesharedthiswith.Forawhile,shethoughtherjobinthecollegehadcometoanend.Thethoughtofhowshewouldnowearnalivingandsecureafutureforherdaughterhadstartedbotheringher.Soshetriedtodefendherposition,eventhoughRupalihadn’taccusedheratall.Whenshedecidedtospeakup,sheonlydeniedallthatRupalihadsaid.ShetoldRupalithatnothing

like that had happened and that she might have confused her with some other peon. But her onlyproblem was that her face and body language didn’t support her statement. She couldn’t look intoRupali’seyeswhenshespoke.Onthecontrary,herfacehadturnedred.Andshestartedstammering.Atonepoint,whenshecouldnotcommunicateanyfurther,shewantedtorunaway.Shewantedtorunoutofthatroom,thathostel,thatverycampus.Shewishedherrunningawaycouldundoeverything.Inastateofpanic,shetriedtogetupfromherchair,butRupalicomfortedandconsoledher.Then,

suddenly,shecouldn’ttakeitanymoreandtriedtorushoutoftheroom.Rupalijumpedoutofherbedandheldherarms.Raheema’sskinfeltice-cold.Shewasshivering.Rupalicouldnotthinkofanyotherwaytostopher,soshehuggedhertightly.‘Pleaseletmehelpyou,didi...’shepleaded.PerhapsitwasthesoothingsoundofhervoiceorthewarmthofherbodythatcomfortedRaheema.

Thatonemomentbroketheicebetweenthem.Raheemacouldnotholdbackheremotionsanylonger.Shecriedherheartout.Shegavevoice toheremotionswhenshescreamedloudly inRupali’s room.Herunbearablepaingushedoutofhereyes.Rupaliallowedhertoventherfeelings.Shecontinuedtoholdherbodyclose toherchestand in the tightgripofherarms.Shekept rubbingherbackgently,allowinghertolightenherheavyheart.Forsometime,neitherofthemspoke.Abit later,RupaliofferedRaheemaaglassofwater.Whenthetwoofthemsatbackagain,Rupali

wasallears.‘Didi,’shesaid,clearingherthroat.Shewasfinallytalkingnow.RupalikeptlookingathermoisteyeswhenRaheemastartednarratingherstory.Raheemawasinherlatethirties.Yet,forhershapelybodyandappealingfacialfeatures,shemadean

attractivefemaleintheclanofotherladypeonsoncampus.Rupalihadrealizedthiswhen,earlierintheday, she happened to take a closer look at her. Shewas awidow and amother of a fifteen-year-olddaughter.Shelivedinthenearbyslumswheremostoftheresidentswerefromherminoritycommunity.Yearsback,sheusedtoworkasadomestichelpinafewhouses,whereshewouldcleanutensilsanddootherhouseholdchores.Butwhen,threeyearsback,herhusbanddiedofcancer,shehadnootheroptionbuttolookforabetterjob.Ontheonehand,shehadtorunherhouseholdandontheother,shehadto

takecareofherdaughter’seducation.Likeher,shedidn’twantherdaughter,too,tocleanutensils.Shehaddreamtofagoodlifeforherdaughter.MuchbeforetobaccomadeRaheema’shusbandbed-riddenandfinallytookhislife,heusedtowork

asagardenerinthesamecollege.SomeoneinhercommunityhadaskedRaheematoseeifshecouldget somework in thecollegeas a replacement forherhusband.That’swhen shehadarrivedon thiscampuslookingforwork.Butgettingwork,evenasareplacementforherhusband,wasn’teasy.Someoneelsehadfilled the

vacancythatherhusband’sabsencehadcreated.Fordays,Raheemamovedfromonefacilityofficetoanother,fromonesecurityguardtoanother.Attheendoftwoweeksofuselessrunningandpleadinginfront of every person, including students, faculty members, the administrative staff and even thesecurityguards,shemetProf.Mahajan.Hehadnoticedher,probablyforthethirdtime,outsidetheadministrativeblock.Raheemahadbeen

standing there for thewholeday inanticipationofmeeting the facilitiesmanager,whounfortunately,wasnotevenpresentinhisofficethatday.Late in the afternoon, Mahajan had stopped by and asked Raheema why she had been standing

outsidethatblockforthewholeday.Shefeltobligedthatsomeoneofhisstaturehadstoppedtolistentoher.Raheematoldhimherstory.Mahajanwas aman of great influence. So to getRaheema a peon’s job on campuswas only the

matterofonephonecallforhim.WhenMahajanhadtoldRaheemathatshecouldcometoworkfromtheverynextday,shecouldnotbelievewhatshehadheard.Andwhenitwascleartoher,shethankedhimscoresoftimes.Backthenthereweretearsofhappinessinhereyes.Hewasherangelandshewouldrememberhiminherprayers—shehadsaidwhileleavingthatday.Unfortunately, it only took two more weeks for Raheema’s angel to transform into a devil. The

unexpected had unfolded when Mahajan had specifically asked Raheema to clean his cabin on aholiday,whentherewasnootherfacultymemberorstudentinthecollegeblock.Betrayalhurtsthemostwhenitcomesfromtheonewhoyoualwaysrememberedinyourprayers.Itwasn’tjustMahajan’shandsthatclungtoherbarewaist,butthebreakingofherfaithintheman

whomshetreatedashermessiah.ThatnightRaheemacouldnotsleep.Inthecomingdays,Mahajanbecamebolder.WhenRaheemastoppedatonemomentandcouldnot

sayanythingfurther,Rupaliheldherhandsbetweenherpalms.‘Whyhaven’tyoureportedhimtothehigherauthorities?’sheaskedher.Inresponse,RaheemaclarifiedthatMahajanwastoobigamanforhertotakeon.Hehadtoomuch

ofinfluenceandhewasusedtogettinghisway.Nothingwasgoingtohappentohimbutforsureshewouldloseherjob.Itwas extremely distressing forRupali to know that in order to get a better life for her daughter,

Raheemahadtosacrificeherlife,hermodesty.‘Butthishastoend!’Rupalisaidfirmly.Itwaseasiersaidthandone.Rupalikeptthinkingabouthowshecouldstopallthisandexposetheill

deedsofProf.Mahajan.Shewasawarethatshecouldn’tliveinRomeandfightwiththePope.Butthenbecauseofthekindofpersonshewas,shecouldn’thaveturnedablindeyetowhatwashappeningoncampuseither.Afterall,shetoohadtofaceProf.Mahajan.Howwouldshecontinuetobeinhisclass,inhisproximity,whensheknewhimtobethebeastthathewas?Moreover,Raheemamaynotbetheonlyvictim,shethought.SheknewthatRaheemawouldn’tagree toexposeMahajan.Shealready lookedtooscared toeven

takehisnameinfrontofher.Sohowshouldshegoaboutthis, then?Allsuchthoughtsoccupiedhermindwhen,suddenly,therewasaknockonthedoor.Raheema immediatelygot up fromher chair.Quickly, shewipedher eyes and tucked a few loose

strands of her hair behind her ear. She adjusted her sari and was about to leave when Rupali said,‘Relax!Letmecheck,youdon’tworry,’andwentaheadtoopenthedoor.ItwasSaloni,inhersweatyT-shirtandshorts,withabasketballinherhand.ToannoyRupali,thewayshealwaysdid,Salonirantoembraceherroomie.‘Eww!Getoffme!Youaresweatinglikeapig!’Rupalishoutedwhileshovingheraway.‘Tabhitokarrahihun,merijaan,’(That’sthereasonIamdoingthis,darling)Salonichuckled.Then

shespottedRaheemaandstoppedunexpectedly.ShelookedatRaheemaandthenbackatRupali.‘Ihadcalledherforsomework,’RupalimentionedevenbeforeSalonihadtimetoaskher.‘All right,didi,you leavenow, Iwill seeyou tomorrow incollege.Keepmymobilenumberwith

you.We’lltalklater,’RupalisaidasshewrotehernumberonapieceofpaperforRaheema.Saloniwatchedhergoand then jumpedatRupali again. ‘Youhave to listen towhat Ihave to tell

you!’Rupalismiled.Saloniwouldneverletamomentgowithoutbringingsomespiceintotheirlives.Meanwhile,Raheemasteppedoutofthehostelblock.Ithadgottendarkbythen.Onausualday,by

thistime,shewasalreadyhome.Allhellbrokeloosewhenshearrivedat thedoorofherhouse.Right infrontofher,Mahajanwas

sitting on a chair and stroking the head of Raheema’s daughter, who was busy completing herassignment.

Eight

Aweeklater,theelectionswereover.Thewinningpartyfromthepreviousyearhadcomeintopowerfor the second consecutive time.Meanwhile, DU had seen various clashes where the police had tointervenetomaintainlawandorder.Ononeoccasion,ithadtotakeafewstudentsintocustody.Butthatwasonlyforafewhoursontheeveoftheelectionasaprecautionarymeasure.Whiletheelectionshadgottenoverandthepeaceintheuniversityhadbeenrestored,anotherstorm

waspreparingitselftoengulfthecollege.ThesignsofitwerefirstfeltinProf.Mahajan’scabin,adaybeforeclassesweretoresume.That’swherethebugleofthebattlewasblownfortheveryfirsttime.‘MayIcomein?’RupaliaskedfromtheentranceofProf.Mahajan’scabin.Prof.Mahajanmovedhiseyesfromhislaptoptothedoorandreplied,‘Iamabitbusy.Comeinan

hourorso.’‘Sorrysir,butthiscan’twait,’Rupalirespondedurgently.‘What’syourname,girl?’ theprofessorasked.Hecertainlydidn’t like themanner inwhichRupali

hadspoken.‘RupaliSinha,Sir.’‘Listen,Rupali,Irememberyou.Youhadreachedouttomeforthedoubtclarificationlastweek.I

wasawayforafewdays.Wecandiscussthatinanhour.Comebacklater,’hesaidandraisedhishandsignallinghertoleave.WhenMahajanresumedlookingathislaptop,Rupalispoke,‘Thisisnotaboutmyproject.’‘Then?’ Prof.Mahajan asked in irritation, for Rupali was not allowing him to concentrate on his

work.‘Sir,weneed to talk,’Rupali said and stepped insideMahajan’s cabinwithoutwaiting forhisdue

permission.HerbehaviourannoyedMahajan.Noonehadeverdaredtospeaktohimlikethat.Hedidn’tapprove

ofRupali’saudacity.Heshouted,‘Howdareyouwalkintomyroomwithoutmypermission?’ForasecondRupalibackedoff,butthenextminutesomeinnerstrengthtoldhertomoveon.Inher

mind,Rupaliknewwhatshewantedtodo.Shehadalreadypreparedherself.Shewalkedtowardstheprofessor’sdesk.‘This is about Raheema. I knowwhat you do to her, Sir,’ she said in a calm yet confident voice

staringattheteacher’sface.Herheartwasbeatingwildlyinsideherchest.Prof.Mahajanhadheardthenamecrystalclearwithoutanyiotaofdoubt.Hisfacewassomethingto

be looked at. His mouth fell open and in that moment he seemed to be at a loss for words. Beingconfronted so directly and unexpectedly,Mahajan felt as if he had lost the ground beneath his feet.Clearly,hewasn’tpreparedforthis,noteveninhiswildestdreams.Allthiswhile,adeterminedRupalikeptlookingstraightintohiseyes.Shecouldseetheacceptance

ofwrongdoinginthem.RupalicrossedherarmsagainstherchestandwaitedforProf.Mahajantoreact.When he got over the surprise, he attempted to ignore the topic. ‘Who andwhat the hell are you

talkingabout?Listen,Iambusy.Pleasecomelater.Okay?’Inresponse,Rupalismiledandpointedout,‘Sir,secondsbackyouwereshoutingatme.What’smade

yousoftnow?IsitthefearthatIknowwhatyoudotoRaheema?’Shehadn’t arrivedatMahajan’s cabin to leave.Shewas there to talk.Shedidnot shyaway from

tellinghimwhatsheknew.Afterestablishingthefacts,shetoldtheprofessorthattheybothknewthathewaswrong.WithadashofdaringsheaskedhimtostopwhathehadbeendoingtoRaheema,failingwhichshewouldhavenooptionbuttoreportthemattertothehigherauthorities.

‘ThereisnowayIwillletyouexploitpoorRaheemaanyfurther,’shesaidfirmly,whiletheprofessorlookedather,hisfaceredwithanger.Rupali’sdeterminationtoconfrontProf.MahajanwasbasedonRaheema’sagreeingtoprotestagainst

him.Adaybefore,shehadcalledRupali’sphoneandtoldherthataftershehadleftfromRupali’splacethatday,shewentbackhometofindtheprofessortherewithherdaughter.Beforeshecouldeventhinkofsayinganything,Mahajanhadsaid, ‘Yourdaughter isagoodstudentandwilling to learn.While Iwaswaiting foryou, Ihelpedher solveamathsproblem. If shewants a tutor, I canhelpheron theweekends.Iwon’tchargeapennytoteachher.Youcansendhertomyplace.’AndhelookedbackatRaheema,smilingasleazysmile.Raheema’sbloodhadboiledseeingMahajaninherhouse,runninghisfilthyhandonherdaughter’s

headrightinfrontofher.HislusthadnowbroughthimtoRaheema’sdaughter.‘That’sit.Ican’ttakeitanymore!Iwilldoanythingtogetmyselfoutofthisdirtyman’sclutches.’RupaliwashappytolearnthatRaheemahadmadeuphermindtofight.Shewasequallyfuriousto

know the reason for the change in Raheema’s stand. Her daughter was the sole reason why shesacrificed her own modesty. As a mother, she would never want her daughter to become herreplacement for an animal likeMahajan. And if, God forbid, that happened, then all her sacrificeswouldbemeaningless.Shewasthereforenotleftwithanyotherchoice.Prof.Mahajangotupfromhischair.Hehissedangrily,‘Youlittleupstart!Youdon’tknowwhoIam

andwhatmypowersare.NowIwillshowyouwhat’stheresultofbehavingwithyourfacultyinsuchamanner.Youwillhavetopayforallthesefakeallegationsyouhavemadeagainstme.’Rupalistoodstillandlookedattheentranceofthecabin.‘Didi!’shecalledout.RaheemaappearedatProf.Mahajan’sdoorstep.Theprofessorwasagainshockedtorealizethatall

thiswhileRaheemahadbeenstandingoutside,listeningtowhatwasbeingtalkedinside.‘Noneofmyallegationsisfalse.Thevictimishere.She’llverifymystatement,’Rupalisaid.‘I see . . .’Prof.Mahajan said, lookingatbothof them. ‘So if youbringanyone inmy roomand

convincehertosayallthatyouwanthertosay,doesthatproveanything?’ThenhemovedtowardsRaheemaandsneered,‘You!Lookatyou!Ihelpedyougetajobhereand

youareconspiringagainstme!Howdareyou!’‘Sir, Iwant you to say sorry toRaheema and promise us that youwill not come in herway ever

again,’saidRupaliwhowasnowrightbehindProf.Mahajan,completelyignoringwhathehadjustsaidaboutRaheema.Thatfurtheragitatedtheprofessor.Heturnedbackandshouted,‘Shutup!’Pin-dropsilencefilledthetensespaceofMahajan’scabinforafewseconds.Neitherofthetwoladies

spoke.Raheemawas veryworried. Shewanted all of it to be over soon. She had anticipated that things

wouldunfoldlikethis.Butwhenshewasatthatveryspot,shefeltuneasy.Tillthatday,shehadfacedMahajaninaclosedchamber,inaprivacythathadalwaysmadehersuffocate.Butthatday,shewasintheopen,inthepresenceofathirdpersonwhowaswillingtofightonherbehalf.Thatday,sheraisedhervoiceagainstthemanshehadundeniablyobeyedforsolong.However,thatdidnottakeawaythelatentfearinherheart;thefearoffacingMahajan.Andthatday,shewasnotjustfacinghim,butalsogoingagainsthim.‘Whoisbehindthis?Whohassentyoutwo?’Prof.Mahajanturnedbackandprobed,tryingtogiveit

alookofconspiracyorchestratedbyhispoliticalenemies.Rupaliclarified,‘Nooneisbehindus.Allwewantisthatyoustopwhatyouhavebeendoing.Else..

.?’Mahajancuthershort,‘Else!Elsewhat?’Itdidn’ttakeRupalitoolongtoclarifyherposition.‘Elseyouwillleaveusnochoicebuttoreport

thistotheprincipalandotherhigherauthoritiesintheuniversity.’Inastateofrage,Prof.MahajanturnedaroundtostareatRaheema.Hewaslikeaninjuredanimal

wantingtomakehismark.Raheemashrankunderhisangrygaze.Thepoorladydidn’thavethegutstolookathim.Shewastooscaredtoevenbeinthatroom.WhenMahajanfeltthathehadoverpoweredRaheemawithhisgazeanddidn’tknowwhattodonext,

heturnedandwalkeduptoRupali.Hestoodinfrontofherandlookedintohereyes,withoutsayinganything.Rupalimatchedhisstare

inresponse.Shesawsheerhatredforherinhiseyes.Howcouldateacherbesoamoral?Weren’ttheysupposedtobeevenhigherthanGod?Thenwhatmadethemfallsolow?Shethoughtaboutwhatherfatherhadsaidandthatgaveherstrength,andshestaredrightbackathimwiththesamehatredhehadshownher.Afewsecondspassed.ButProf.Mahajandidn’tshifthispostureandkeptstaringatRupaliwithhis

furiouseyes.Hissilencewasloud.TherewerecertainmomentswhenMahajan’sproximityand thewrathhe showedwithoututtering

anythingmadeRupalifeeluncomfortable.Shecouldheartheraucousbreathingofafuriousprofessorwhowasbrashlystaringather.Unabletoabsorbhisanger,Mahajancouldhavedoneanythingtoher.Rupaliknewthis,butshedidn’twanttostepbackeither.TheheatofthatmomentwasturningRupalicold.Buteverytimeshefeltscared,sheurgedherselftobestrong.Shekeptremindingherselfthatsheshouldn’tbackoffforshewasfightingfortherightandthatitwastheprofessorwhoshouldbescaredforhewastheculprit.RupaliwantedProf.Mahajantospeak.Shewantedtoengagehiminaconversation.Butwithevery

passingsecond,Prof.Mahajanwastransformingintoabeast.Hisfacewasturningwild,hiseyesred,andhisbreathlouder.ItwashorribleforRupalitolookathim.Fearing something unpleasant would happen, Raheema started pleading. But her words failed to

registerinanyone’smind.Atonepoint,Rupalicouldfeelthesweatonherpalms.Butshedidn’tgiveup.ShecontinuedtoovercomeherfearandmanagedtoholdhereyecontactwithProf.Mahajan.MahajanbeganshufflinghisgazebetweenRupali’seyes.Firstleft,thenright,andthenleftagain;in

cycles, and then faster cycles. It appearedas ifhewasgoing to explode in anger.And then, all of asudden,thewilddanceofhiseyescametorest.‘Elsewhat?Saythatagain?’hehissed.Rupalirepeated,‘Else,Iwillhavetobringthismattertotheprincipal’snotice.’Mahajantookamomenttodigestwhathehadheardyetagain.Thenextmomentheflunghishandin

theair.InasplitsecondhispalmlandedonRupali’scheek.TheslapresoundedinRupali’seardrums.Thatwastheonlythingshecouldhearinthatinstant.The

impactwassostrongthatRupalifell.RaheemascreamedandrushedtohelpRupali.WhensheheldRupali’sshoulders,apartfromfeeling

mortified, nothing else registered inhermind.Sheblamedherself forwhathad just occurred. In theshockofthatmoment,shegotdownonherkneesinfrontofProf.Mahajanandbeggedhimtopardonher.Shecriedinfrontoftheprofessor,pleadingthatRupaliwasjustakid.Mahajandidn’tbothertorespondorevenlookatRaheema.Heknewwhomhehadtobreakdown.

Heknewwhohisrealenemywas.When Rupali got back on her feet, she pulled Raheema away fromMahajan, stopping her from

pleadinginfrontofhim.Shelookedbackattheprofessor.‘Gotelltheprincipalnow!’Mahajanretorted,pickeduphisbelongingsandleft.

Nine

‘Haven’tyouunderstoodityet?Theprincipalwon’tcareenoughfor it.Thatdoghasslappedyouononecheek,theprincipalwilldosoontheother.Whatwillyoudothen?’ThatwasSaloniandtheywerediscussingthematterintheirroom.Shewasannoyedwhenshecame

toknowofRupali’scallforactionandwhathadhappenedinMahajan’scabinthatafternoon.Initially,RupalihadknownthatSaloniwouldn’tunderstandwhatshewantedtodo,soshedidn’twanttotellheranything.Butshecouldnotlietoherforsolongeither,especiallywhenSalonihadnoticedthatonesideofherfaceandherearwerered.‘AreyouevenlisteningtowhatIamsaying?Youarenotgoingtodoanything.Alright?’saidSaloni.

‘Lookatme.YouhavecomehereallthewayfromPatnatostudy.Don’tgetintoallthis.It’snotgoodforyouinanyway.’Whenshedidn’thearevenawordfromherroommatesheconfrontedher.‘AmImakinganysenseto

you?’SheraisedRupali’schinandwantedhertorespond.Rupalicalmlynodded,onlytoavoidadebatewithherroommate.SalonitooknewthatRupaliwasn’t

buyingherargument.ShewasalreadyextremelydisappointedtoknowwhathadhappenedtoRupali.Herroommate’scoldreactiontoheradvicewasmakinghermorefrustrated.Saloni’sangerwasjustified.ShecaredforRupaliandwasworriedabouther;herfuture;herstudies.

Inhermind,Rupaliwasthebesthumanshehadevercomeacrossandshedidn’twanttoseeherruiningher life for someone else. Every time she looked at her red face, in her mind she imagined Prof.Mahajanslappingherbestfriend.Andthiswastearingherapart.A silentRupali satonher chair, reflectingupon thecourseof events inMahajan’s cabin.Shewas

wonderingwhatshewasgoingtodonext.Onethingwassureinhermind—therewasnogoingback.ShewasalsoconcernedthatRaheemamustnotretractfromherpositionandmustcontinuetofightthisbattlethatthetwoofthemhadbegun.InherangerSaloniwalkedrestlesslyinherroom.Shecouldn’tcontainherself,‘I’mextremelyangry

withthatbastardforhavingtreatedyousobadly!’shesaidangrily.‘Youhatehimbecauseheslappedme.IhatehimforwhathehasbeendoingtoRaheema,’Rupali

saidcalmly,wonderingifitmadesensetoherroommate.‘Raheema!Raheema!Raheema!Whyareyousobotheredabouther?’Salonishoutedindespair.‘Had itbeenyou insteadofRaheema,wouldyouhave said the same thing?’Rupali counteredher

friend.OnehalfofSaloni’smindwantedtorespondtothat.Theotherhalfwantedtounderstandthegravity

ofthesituation.Whenshetriedtoanswerthat,sherealizedthatshewasatalossforwords.Rupali saidagain, ‘Orhad it beenmymother inRaheema’splace, should Ihave let thematterbe

eventhen?’‘But that’snot thecaseat themoment, right?It isn’tyourmother. It is thepeonwhomyouhardly

knew till aweekback,’Saloni arguedbackbut only for the sakeof arguing.Sheknew that shehadalreadylosttheargument.Shecouldn’tanswerRupali’spreviousquestion.‘Yes, today there is one peon. Tomorrow, there will be two more and they will be asked to

compromiseorbereadytobethrownoutofthesystem.Doyouknowthesamepeonhadtoldmethattwoyearsback,therewasastudentjustlikeus,whohadtoleavemidwaybecauseofthismonster?Noone knowswhere shewent after she left her studies suddenly, orwhat happened to her.We too arepartly responsible for this state of affairs, by not raising our voices against it. If we don’t stand upagainstpeople likeMahajan,believeme, thisoneMahajanwillbreedmoreMahajans.Together, they

willincreasethenumberofill-fatedRaheemasinoursociety.Gradually,peoplewillstartacceptingtheruleofthejungle.Ifwekeepthinkingofjustourselvesanddon’tstandupforothers,wewillalwaysleavethegoodaloneandthat’swhereevilwilltriumph.Today,Mahajanisdoingwhathewantsbecauseheknowswearealone.Buttomorrow,iftheentirecollegeisunitedandshoutsoutsidehiscabin,hewillbeworriedandwillhavetochangehiswaysorbetterstill,leave.’After a brief pause she added, ‘There are moments when we conveniently ignore the logic, just

becauseitworksforus.Butpleaseunderstand,Saloni,Icannotdothat.Icannotignorethat.That’showIam.WhatdoIdo?’NoonecouldhaverefutedthehonestywithwhichRupalispoke.Salonididn’tknowwhattosay.A

fewmomentsofsilencewerewhatsheneededtounderstandanddigestallthatRupalistoodfor.Thereweresimplynoifsandbutsintheargument.Itwastheplainnakedtruth.Whenyoudon’tfightagainstevil,youtooaretobeblamedasmuchastheevilitself.Youhavetwochoices.Acceptit,orfightitout.AfterlisteningtoRupali,Saloni’sthoughtstoobegantochange.AtleastRupalithoughtsowhenshe

did not hearSaloni argue further. Shewas about to askSaloni if she had been able to influence herthoughtswhenSaloni’scellphoneinterruptedthebriefsilence.‘Hibaby!’Salonisaidbutnotwithherusuallevelofexcitement.ItwasImranonthephone.‘No,Iwon’tbecomingtoday.Youguysplay,’shesaid.‘Rupaliisn’tfeelingwell,soIamwithher.

Youguysgoahead.Iwillcallyouatnight.Yeah,bye.’Rupali looked at Saloni and before she could askwhy shewasn’t going to play, Saloni came and

tightlyhuggedherroomie.Shethenkissedherforeheadandsatnexttoher.‘Youaresobrave!’shesaidsoftlybutwithalotofprideinhervoiceforherroommate.‘Butnotasbraveasyoutogetyourboyfriendinsideagirls’hostel,thattooinbroaddaylight!’Rupali

teasedSaloniandsmiledtolightenupthemood.SalonitootriedtosmilebuttheredimpressionofMahajan’shandonherfriend’sfacestolehersmile.Bymorning,RupalihadSaloni’sfullsupport.Shewasconvincedthatherfriendwasdoingtheright

thingandthereforeshewasgoingtobackherinherendeavour.Atthesametime,SalonicontinuedtoworryaboutRupali.ShehadofferedRupaliherfather’sassistance—hewasarenownedadvocateintheDelhiHighCourt.RupaliknewthatSaloniwastryingtohelpbutshesaidnotoinvolvinghiminherfight—atleastatthatpointoftime.However,themoreurgentthingtodonowwastogetdressedquickly.In the brightmorning sun, lifewas again back to normal in the college block.The classes finally

resumed as the elections were over. The hostel mess, where footfall during breakfast had plunged,suddenlywitnessed a surge.Thedemand for paranthaswasmore than the supply.So a few studentssimplyhadtheteaandoptedtomoveoutandgrabasandwichfromthecollegecanteen.Thesightofstudents—ingroupsandontheirown—walkingtowardsthecollegeblockinthemorninghours,afterabreak of a few days, appeared delightful. The noisy corridors became a treat to everyone’s ears,including those of the faculty. The entire college atmosphere was recharged with energy after theelectionbreak.Theresumptionofclassesgaveanopportunitytothehostellersandlocalitestointeract,updateeachotheronthenewsandshareafewlightmomentswitheachother.Amidthehustleandbustleinthecorridoroftheirhostel,RupaliandSalonisteppedoutoftheirblock

toattendthefirstperiod,whenRaheemabumpedintothem.Salonihadalreadyseenheronce,butbynow,sheknewofherstoryaswell.Eventhoughshehadn’tinteractedwithRaheemaearlier,Salonifeltasifsheknewherclosely.Raheema looked as if she had to say something, but seemed hesitant.Rupali sensed that shewas

feelingshyinfrontofSaloni.‘Youdon’thavetoworry,didi,she’smybestfriend.Youcanspeakfreelyinherpresence,’shesaid,

tryingtoputheratease.Raheema gave a weak smile. She didn’t look very confident but spoke, ‘I want you to meet

someone.’Meet someone? Rupali thought to herself and said, ‘Okay, but who is it?’ a bit impatiently. She

lookedatherwatchandrealizedthatshewasgettinglateforherclass.‘Arjunbhaiya,’repliedRaheema.Rupalihadn’theardthisnameearlier.ShewonderedwhothispersonwasandwhyRaheemawanted

her to meet him. Raheema clarified that Arjun could help the two of them in their battle againstMahajan.Butasshewasgettinglate,theydecidedthattheywouldmeetArjunduringthebreak.TheyweretomeetatShafi’steashopandnotinthecollegeblock.Shedidn’twantMahajantoseeherwithRupali.Assoonastheirconversationwasover,SaloniandRupalirantowardstheircollege,hopingthatthey

wouldmakeitintimefortheattendance.Salonilaughedastheyran.‘What?’Rupaliasked.‘LookslikeMadamRaheemamightbedoingabitofmatchmakinghere!’shesaid,naughtilywinking

atRupali.Rupalishookherhead.‘Youreallyhaveaone-trackmind!’Salonilaughed.Entering their classwell in time as the professorwas late,Rupali kept thinking about this person

Raheemawanted her tomeet. ‘Well,we shall seewho thisRobinHood is!’ she thought and startedconcentratingontheclass.

Ten

Fromthecooldarknessoftheclass,Rupalisteppedintothebrightnessofthecorridorsandthelawnsofthecollege.Shelovedtheenergyofthecollegeandcountedherblessingsthatshewasapartofit.Aspromised toRaheema,RupaliarrivedatShafi’s teashop.Saloni toohadwanted to joinherand

meetthemysteriousstranger,butRupalihadsaidnobecauseifbychanceshegotlate,Salonicouldtakenotesforthebothofthem.Outside the college gate, from a distance, she could see Raheema at one of the tables at Shafi’s

teashop.ShewassittingwithaguywhosebackwastowardsRupali.OnseeingRupali,Raheemagotupfromherseatandwavedather.Rupalismiledandwalkedtowardsthem.Shearrivedatthetableandstoodbehindtheguy.Shepausedforamomenttotakeoffherbagfrom

hershoulderandarrangeherdupatta.Raheemalookedattheguyandsaid,‘Bhaiya,Rupalididihascome.’ThepersonturnedbacktolookatRupali.‘Rupalididi,thisisArjunbhaiya.’Rupalirecognizedhimimmediately.AnuncomfortablefeelingtookoverRupali.ShehadneverthoughtthatthepersonRaheemawanted

hertomeetwouldturnouttobetheonewhomshehadpracticallyhatedinhermind.Shehadnoideahowto react to thesituation.Sincehehadbeenaroundher the few timesshehadbeen in troubleortherehadbeensomeproblem,she’dstartedthinkingofhimasher‘troubleman’!‘Ah.. .hello. . .Sir,’shegreetedhimshyly.ShewishedshehadinquiredmoreaboutArjunfrom

Raheema,before landingup in front of him.Ormaybe, at thevery least, she shouldhave letSaloniaccompanyher.Howsherepentedherdecision.Arjunlookedatherandsmiledasifhehadnevermetherbefore.‘Pleasesit,’hesaid.Rupalitookthe

seatnexttoRaheemawhichmeantthatnowshewassittingdirectlyinfrontofArjunandlookingintohiseyes,whichmadeherveryuncomfortable.WhenArjun shouted andordered tea for the ladies, theyboth refused.Rupali said no a couple of

times.ButArjundidnotbother tocancel theorder. Instead,heaskedher ifshedrank tea.Whenshenodded,hesatbackasifhehadprovedapoint.Shafiaddedhistwobits,‘NoonesaysnototeawhenitisorderedbyArjunbhaiya!’Rupali was very irritated with the statement. But Raheema agreed as a courtesy. Rupali agreed

becauseshewasintimidatedbyhisstrongpersonality.Allthiswhile,visionsofherinitialinteractionswithArjunkeptflashinginRupali’smind.Shehadn’t

forgottentheinterrogationonherfirstdayoncampusbyArjun.Toaddtoitwasthemobattackonhermusicauditionday,whereshehadseenArjunstandingoutsidetheclasswhilehisgroupvandalizedtheset-up.Nowshehadanametoassociatewiththatface—Arjun.Itwasthefirsttimethatshegotanopportunitytoobservehimfromacrossthetabletheyshared.On

thisdaytoo,Arjunwasinfrontofherinhistypicalattire—akurta,apairofjeansandleatherslippers.Hehadastubblethatsuitedhisface.Arjunwastallandwellbuilt.Hiswheatishskincolouraddedtohisroughandtoughlooks.Hisbodylanguagewasslowanddeliberate.Hisvoicecommandedattention.‘Arjun bhaiya Mahajan Sir ko achhey se jaantey hain,’ (Arjun bhaiya knowsMahajan Sir well)

RaheemabrokeintoRupali’ssilentobservationofArjun.Forasecond,Rupalifeltembarrassed.‘Didimeinbaatkartahun,’ (Didi letme talk)Arjunspoke,cuttingoffRaheemamid-sentenceand

tookovertheconversationwithRupali.‘Hi, IamfromsecondyearArts. Iama localite,meaningIdon’t liveoncampus. Iamoneof the

seniormembersof thepoliticalparty inopposition inDU,’Arjun introducedhimself. ‘IhaveknownRaheemadidiformorethanayearnow.IamalsoawareofthekindofanimalMahajanis.Ihaveafairideathathehasbeencreatingproblemsforcertainstaffmembersincollege.ButIamnotwellversedwiththeexactmatter.WhatRaheemadiditoldmelasteveningisverylittleformetounderstandbutI’mwonderingwhyshedidn’ttellmeearlier.Perhapsshewasscaredofsomeone.Soyougivemethedetailsandlet’scontinuetotalkinEnglishtosaveherfromembarrassment.’As he finished, he turned towards Raheema—she was innocently trying to understand their

conversation and nodding. He smiled. ‘Aapko baad mein batayenge saari baat.’ (We’ll tell youeverythinglater.)Shenodded.Morestronglythistime.Rupalismiled.ThatwassweetofArjun.Thenshebegantonarrateallthathadoccurredinthepast

week.Attimes,shestruggledtochooseherwords.Thethoughtofdescribingawoman’smolestationatthehandsofamantoanotherman,againstwhomshealreadyhadherpreconceivednotions,botheredher.ToaddtoherdifficultywasthepresenceofRaheema.Justachangeoflanguagewasnotgoingtomake it easier for Rupali. How could she, in her presence, paint Raheema as if she were a toy inMahajan’shands?Howcould she tell him that itwasn’t aone-off incident, but thatRaheemahad tofulfil Mahajan’s demands whenever he desired? She found it difficult to complete her sentences,appearingatalossforwords.Yetshedidn’tstoptillshefinishedallshehadtosay.Arjuncouldclearlyseeherdiscomfort,butthoughtitwasbetternottointerrupt.PoorRaheema,eventhoughshedidn’tknowwhatexactlytheyweresayingabouther,sheknewthe

importoftheirdiscussion.Shedidn’thavethecouragetolookintoArjun’seyes;thesameArjunwhomshehadcalledbhaiyaallthiswhile.Shesilentlykeptsippingtheteathathadjustbeenbrought.On the other hand, as the dark secret of what Mahajan used to do to Raheema unfolded, Arjun

becamerestlesswithanger.RupalicouldclearlyseeArjun’sbody language transform.Shecouldseethathehadclenchedhisfistsandhiseyeshadbecomeslits,andhewasstaringangrilyintothedistance.Shegotscaredandstopped.It took awhile forArjun to notice thatRupaliwasn’t speaking.When he realized that, instead of

lookingatRupali,heturnedtowardsRaheema,whodidn’tknowwhattosay.Inherowneyes,shewastheculprit firstandthenthevictim.Somewhere inherconscienceshebelievedthis ill fact.Thepoorlady thought shewas equally responsible, asMahajan, for her fate. She didn’t have the guts to faceArjun.ShehadknownArjunforalongtimenow.Fromhelpingherwithmoneywhenherdaughterhadfallen ill, to facilitatingherpaperworkat thecollegepremises,Arjun,onvariousoccasionshasbeenRaheema’sangel.Ontheotherside,therehadalsobeenoccasionswhenArjunhadaskedRaheematopray for him, especially duringhis exams.There hadbeen timeswhenArjunhadvisitedRaheema’shouse to break the roza for the day at iftaar.Hewould eat fruits and puddings thatRaheemawouldspeciallycookforhim.ButwhileshewaswonderingabouthowshewouldfaceArjunnowthatheknewthetruth,Arjunwas

contemplatingthedepthstowhichMahajanhadfallentomolestpoorRaheema.HefeltsorryforallthatRaheemahadgonethroughandrealizedthathehadreallynotdoneanything

forher!‘Aapnemujhepehlekabhiyesabkyunnahibataaya,didi?’(Whydidn’tyoutellmeallthisbefore,

didi?)heaskedsoftly.Hedidn’twanttoscareheraway.Raheemarelaxed.Arjun’sgestureshowed thathecared forher.Suddenlyoverwhelmed, shecould

notholdbackhertears.InresponsetoArjun’squestion,sheonlyjoinedherhands.Shewantedtosaysomething,butshechokedwithtears.Arjun, immediately held her hands and tried to console her.Rupali too got up and reached out to

Raheematohelphercontrolheremotions.Sherubbedherbackandaskedhernottocry,andratherface

thiswithstrength.Thankfully,thereweren’tanyotherstudentsatShafi’sshopasbythenthebreakwaslongover.The

onlypeopletonoticethethreeofthemwereShafi’sboyswhoworkedattheteashop.‘Yehaapkigaltinahihai,didi,’(Thisisnotyourfault,didi)Arjunsaid.RupaliaddedtoitbyremindingherthatitwasacourageousmoveonRaheema’spartthatshehad

takenastandtofightagainstMahajan.‘Iamsoproudofyou,’shesaid.Arjun too agreed. Together they talked about how she probably had had no other choice but to

sacrificeherlifeforthefutureofherdaughter.InsteadoflettingRaheemafeelguilty,thetwoofthemtriedtomakeherfeelproudofthesacrificesshehadmadeinherlife.WhenRaheemacontinuedtosob,Rupaliwentbehindherandtookherinherarms.RaheemalookedupatArjun,whowassmiling.Raheemasmiledthroughhertears.Thatbroughtthemuch-neededclosure.ArjunwasimpressedwithRupali’ssimplicityandhonesty.Oncetheyweremoreincontroloftheiremotionstheysettleddowntotalkagain.Rupalifeltthatit

would bewiser forArjun andher to talk inRaheema’s absence.Arjun agreed.He askedher if theycouldmeetintheevening.Rupalithoughtforabitandthenagreed.‘Great,sogivemeyourcellphonenumber?’heasked.‘Uhh...’Rupalihesitated.Allofasudden,the

ideaofsharinghermobilenumberwithsomeone likeArjunbotheredher.Whywasheaskingher togive him her mobile number? She wondered how to tackle this awkward situation. She hadn’tanticipatedit.Ithappenedsofast.Shewasn’tevenpreparedtoreacttoit.Buthowwouldsherefuse?Arjunseemedtohaveguessedherpredicament.‘Iamnotaskingyoutoshareyournumber.Justtake

mine,incaseyouneeditbeforewemeettodiscussthis,’hesaidwithasmile.Howfasthehadreadhermind!‘It’snotlikethat,’shesaidembarrassedly.ButArjundidn’trespond.

HedictatedhisnumberandRupalisavedit.‘Shallwemeetby5.30intheeveningthen?’askedArjun.‘5.30 . . . hmm . . . alright. Shall I comehere?’Rupali asked. ‘This teashopwill be closed in the

evening,sowecanmeetsomewhereelse.Iwillseeyououtsideyourhostel.’‘Oh!Whereexactlyoutsidethehostel?’‘Let’smeetatthesameplacewhereyouhadplantedthatsapling.’

Eleven

‘Oh, look at that!Tiny tulsi flowers haveblossomedonyour plant,’Arjun saidwhile looking at theplantwithgreatamusement.Hishandsonhiswaist,hebentdowntogetacloserlook.RupalihadneverimaginedsuchapleasantreactionfromArjuntowardsherplant.Morethanamonth

andahalfearlier,rightatthesameplace,Arjun’sfacehadadifferentexpressionwhenhehadfirstseenRupali planting that tulsi sapling. Shewas delightedwith this change in his attitude but did not sayanything.Afterall,thedisruptionhehadcausedatthemusicclubauditionhadpaintedacertainpictureofArjuninhermind.Shecouldn’thavechangeditthatquickly.‘Yes,ittookawhileforthistohappen,’Rupalinodded.Rupalicouldhavesaidmore.PerhapsArjunfeltso too.Hewaitedforher tosaymore.Butshedidn’t. Instead,shecontinued to

lookatherplantwithgreataffection.Arjunsuggested,‘Let’ssitandtalkthen.’‘Hereonthelawns?’sheasked,raisingherbrows.Herhesitationwasclear.‘Toomanypeopleinthecommonroom.Wedon’twantanyonetooverhearourconversation.Right?’

askedArjun.Withbarelyanychoiceleft,Rupalihadtoagree.‘Comeon.It’sfine,’Arjuninsisted.Shefeltuncomfortablesittingontheopenlawns,infrontofherownhostel,whereothergirlscould

seeherinthecompanyofaguylikeArjun,whowasneitherfromherbatchnorfromherstream.Whileitwasn’tuncommonforboysandgirlstositonthehostellawns,itwasgenerallyonlycoupleswhosatthere.Other times, thereweremixed groups of girls and boys. In this case, theywere neither.Whatwouldtheythinkofher? ‘Will theycookupstoriesonseeingmewithArjun?’shewonderedandherthoughtsmadeheruncomfortable.‘AreyousureShafi’steashopisshut?’sheaskedagain.Arjundidn’timmediatelyanswerthatone.He

lookedatherfaceasifderivingsomesortofpleasureoutofherhelplessness.‘YoulikeShafi’steathatmuch?’hechuckled.Rupalifirstnoddedandwhensherealizedhewasmakingfunofher,sheshookherhead.ThatmadeArjunlaugh.Rupalismiled,embarrassedbyherfoolishness.‘Yes, it is closed. I checkedonmywayhere.But don’tworry, if you are uncomfortable, you can

inviteyourroommate.Raheemadiditoldmethatsheisawareofthewholething.Maybeyouwillfeelmoresecureifsheisaround.’Soheknewwhat shewas thinkingabout!This realizationembarrassedRupali evenmore. ‘Ohno,

that’snotanissue!’sheblurted.Butwhenshesatdown,shetextedSalonitocomeandjoinheronthelawns.‘Youareabravegirl!’Arjuncomplimentedherastheystartedtalking.‘Notmanyboyswouldhave

hadthecouragetodowhatyouhavedone,thattooagainstsomeonelikeMahajan.’‘Well,tobehonest,IactuallyfearMahajan,’shespokeslowly.‘Iwasscaredofsteppinginsidehis

cabin andwas evenmore scaredwhen he came and stood bymy side, before he . . .’ she left thatsentenceincomplete.ThroughRaheema,ArjunalreadyknewthatMahajanhadslappedRupali.Hedidn’tneedRupalito

completehersentence.‘Iunderstand.Infact,that’swhyIsaidthatyouareabravegirl,’Arjunsaid.Rupalilookedathim.

‘You see,beingbravedoesn’tmean the lackof fear. Itmeansovercomingyour fears.Youovercameyour fear to challenge someone likeMahajan.More importantly, youdid sonot foryourself, but for

someoneelse.Thatisbeingreallystrong.’Rupalifeltgood.Sheknewthatwhatshehadbeendoingwasright,butnoonetillthenhadsaidthe

same.Shesaid,‘ThereissomethingelseaswellthatIwanttosay.’‘Yes?’Rupalitookadeepbreath.‘TosomeextentI’mscaredofyou,too,’sheconfessed.Andjustaftershe’dsaidthat,shewonderedifithadbeentherightthingtodo.Suddenly,herown

wordshadmadeherfeeluncomfortableagain.Shefeltastrangesenseofvulnerabilitybecauseshewassittingnexttothepersonshewasscaredofandtellinghimthatshewassacredofhim!‘Wha…what?Youarescaredofme?’Arjunasked,surprised.‘AndallbecauseIaskedyouquestions

aboutyourplant?’‘Notjustthatepisode,butprimarilyforwhathappenedonthedayofthemusicclubaudition.’‘Waitaminute.Youwereinsidetheclassthatevening?Areyouapartofthemusicclub?’‘Yes.’‘OhGod!’Arjun exclaimed and looked up at the sky.None of them realized then how thewhole

discussionhadswitchedfrombrainstormingaboutRaheema’scasetodiscussingpersonalmatters.‘Andyoubelievethat...OhGod!No...No...No...’Arjunstartedbutthenstopped.Rupalikeptlookingathim.‘SoyouarescaredofmebecauseyoubelieveIbrokeanddisruptedyourset-up?’herepeated.‘Iwasscaredofthewholemobandyouwereoneamongthem,’Rupalisaid.‘Okay, I can completely understandhowyoumust have judgedme.But the problem iswith your

interpretation.’‘Why?’Arjuntookamomentandthenaskedher,‘Didyouseemebreakinganythingorhittinganyone?’Rupali remembered that shehad seenhim standingoutside the class.She remembered seeinghim

standingwithhisarmsfoldedacrosshischest.‘No.’‘Iamgladyousaidthat,’Arjunsaid.‘Look,Idon’tknowwhatyouwillthinkaboutmewhenItell

youthis,buthearmeout.Yes,thoseweremyparty’smembers.Yes,mypartymembersvandalizedtheset-up.Butthatdoesn’tmeanIwantedtodothesame.Ihadprotestedagainstanysortofviolence.Youwouldhavecertainlyseenmeatthevenue.Butyouwouldnothaveobservedmylatearrival.WhenIheardfromoneofourvolunteers thata fewpartymembershadgone todisrupt theaudition, I ran tostopthemfromhittinganyone.Butunfortunately,bythetimeIarrived,itwastoolate.Thedamagewasdone.’‘Really?ButIsawyoustandingoutsidetheroom.Itappearedtomethatallthathadhappenedwithin

theclass,hadhappenedunderyourcommand!’‘Perhapsthenyoufailedtoseethelookofhelplessnessonmyface,’Arjunsaidwithahintofasmile.‘Oh!’Rupaliuttered.Sherealizedhowthetruthcouldbesodifferentfromherowninterpretationof

it. Arjun appeared honest to her. She believed what she had heard; she didn’t want to inquire anyfurther.As sheheardArjunout, hermindwascontinuouslyworkingonbuildingupanew imageofArjun,whichifnotpositive,wasdefinitelyneutralandfarbetter thanthepreviousnegativeone.Herthoughtswerebrokenbythebeepingofhercellphone.ShepickedupthemobiletoreadanSMS.ItwasfromSaloni.‘Inbasketballcourt.Willcatchuinnhrdarling.Muah:*’Even though his explanation cleared her perception of Arjun, she was still not completely

comfortablewithhim.ShefeltitwouldhavebeenbetterifSalonicouldhavejoinedthem.But,atthesametime,shewasnowmoreincontrolofthesituation.

‘Sowhendidyoujointheclub?’Arjunasked.‘Hmm?’Rupaliwaslostinherthoughts.‘Club.Themusicclub,’heclarified.‘Oh!Ijoinedlastmonthonly,’shereplied.‘Yousing?’‘Yes,’shesaid.Rupalirealizedfromhistonethathewasn’tveryhappytoknowthatshewasinthe

musicclub.‘Why?Whathappened?’Arjuntookadeepbreathandwasabouttosaysomething,whenRupalispoke,‘Yourpartyhassomeoldissuewiththeclub,right?’‘Well,unfortunatelythatisthecase.Wehavesomeunsettledbusiness.’Rupalididn’tlikewhatArjunsaid.Itbotheredher.Sheknewofthe‘unsettledbusiness’asTenzing

had already told her about it. So she understood where Arjun was coming from. Even though shewanted tochangeArjun’sopinionabout thismatter, shedidn’twant toget into thatdiscussionat themoment.‘I only hope that you don’t settle your unsettled business by hurting them,’ she said and then

immediatelycorrectedherself,‘Imeanus.’Arjun looked into her eyes, ‘Don’t worry, we don’t hurt people. No one will hurt you.’ Then he

changedthetopicandaskedRupalitobriefhimaboutRaheema’scasefromwheretheyhadleftoffatShafi’steashop.Rupalitalkedaboutallthethingsshecouldn’thavespokenaboutinRaheema’spresence.Attimes,

ArjunaskedquestionswhichRupaliansweredindetail.AfterRupalihadsaidallthatshehadtosay,sheaskedhim,‘Howdowegofurtherfromhere?’‘Mahajanisabeast.Areyousureyouwanttodosomethingaboutit?’heaskedbluntlytounderstand

Rupali’scommitment.‘EarlieritwasaboutRaheemaalone.Nowthathehasslappedme,Ihaveonemorereasontotakethis

up,’shesaidwithquietdetermination.‘However,Iwanttoknowwhyyouwanttohelpusonthis.’‘Itoohavemorethanonereason.ItreatRaheemalikeasister...’‘Whatifitwassomeoneelseinherplace,then?’‘Iwascomingtothat.AsIsaid,Ihavemorethanonereason.TheprimaryreasonisMahajan.’Shewaitedforhimtoexplain.‘Mahajan is like a cancer in our college system. A lot of wrong things are flourishing in this

university—the back-door admission of a few students, the upsurge in the demand to increasereservationquotas. It isallMahajan’sdoing.Hehasastrongholdon thisuniversityand thepoliticalbackingofthepartyinpowerinthecampusaswellasinthestate.’Unabletoconnectthedots,Rupalispoke,‘IamnotsureifIgetit.Howdoesthatconcernyou?’‘I am talking about corruption. Mahajan is corrupt and powerful, now more than ever. Teaching

accountsinthiscollegeisjustafacade.Behindthisveilofteaching,hefulfilshispersonalinterests.Hemakes money by giving admission to those students who are low on merit but belong to highlyinfluentialfamilies.HeusesthevariousquotaslikeOBCandSC/STtohisbenefit.Fromgettingfakecastecertificatesforstudents,tomakingthemeligibletousetherespectivequotas,hegetseverythingdoneforthem.‘Apartfromcollegedonations,aseparatedonationreacheshishomeforsuchexclusivework.When

youaskwhyIamconcerned,myansweris—IamthevictimofthisquotasystemthatwasillegallyusedbyMahajan.Twoyearsback,IwasthefirstpersonontheCommerceadmissionwaitlist.InevermadeittomypreferredstreambutwasmadetosettleforArts.Thereasonbeing,myseatwastradedtoadmitabureaucrat’ssonwhoseClassXIIpercentagewaswaylowerthanmine;allthisinthenameofbullshitquota!’‘OhGod!’ exclaimedRupali in disbelief. ‘Butwhy didn’t the higher authorities take some action

againsthim?Aretheycorrupttoo?’‘Not everyone. But some definitely are. But not being corrupt doesn’t mean they are against

corruptioneither,’Arjunreplied.‘Nowwhatdoesthatmean?’Arjun explained, ‘The real problem is, those who aren’t corrupt themselves, don’t always fight

against corruption. Because they fear that if they raise their voices, they will lose their jobs. Eventhoughsuch transactionhappensunder theirnoses,and theykeep theirmouthsshut.Andwhywouldthey fight,when they already know the outcome!Corruption didn’t take birth in this university.Wewere introduced to it by the system outside this campus. You see, the college is funded by thegovernment.Soifapoliticianinpowerwantstohavehissayandadmitaparticularstudent,howwouldatopcollegeofficialrefuse?Andwhenthiswishcomesalongwithcash,whywouldthey?That’swherethesystemgivesbirthtoparasiteslikeMahajan,whomastertheartofsellingmeritformoney.’AllthisappearedsonewtoRupali.Shehadneverimaginedthatsuchasickadmissionsystemwould

prevail within the walls of such a prestigious college. For a moment, she felt disappointed to havebecomeapartofthiscollege.ButArjunpointedoutthatthestorywasthesameinmanyothercolleges.HetoldRupalithatthisiswhatheandhispartyhadbeenfightingagainst.‘Twoyearsback,ourpartyhadanimportantagendaofremovingthereservationquota.Wewonthe

electionsbasedontheissuesthatwebrought to thetable.Mahajan’smodusoperandiwastoillegallyuse thequotasystem toadmithispreferredstudents.Removingquotawouldhavemade itextremelydifficult forhimtoperpetratehisact.Also,back then therewasawave infavourofanti-reservation,supportedbythosewhogotadmittedthroughthegeneralcategory.Asperourmanifesto,wewantedtoeradicateallsortsofOBCandSC/STquotas.Butthat’swhenMahajanplayedhisgame.Fromcreatinggovernmentpressuretotakingthemattertocourtandgettingastayorder,hedidalmosteverythinghecould.‘Not only this, but he also encouraged various OBCs and SC/ST groups in colleges across this

universitytofightfortheircause.Hemadehimselfamessiahofstudentsfrombackwardclasses.Wecontinued to fight thebattleofabolishing thequotasystem.Butby the time thenextelectionscame,Mahajan had already lured students to his side. He took the backward community students intoconfidence and asked them to vote for his preferred party.On behalf of that party, he ideated a fewpopulistpolicieslikefreeInternetineveryhostelroomandintroducingacheaperstudentpassforthelocalmetro.Ourissue-basedmanifestolosttothepopulistmanifestothatMahajanhadsmartlycarvedout for our opponents. Ever since, our opponents are in power and no one has talked about thereservationissue.Infact,asperrumours,Mahajanisworkingonsettingupadomiciliaryquota.MostoftheinfluentialpeopleinhiscircleliveinDelhiandadomiciliaryquotawilleasehisworkmanifold.’Rupaliwasshocked.Sheknewtherewasmoretoallthisbutonlynowdidsherealizehowmistaken

shehadbeentothinkoflodginganofficialcomplaintagainstMahajantothehigherauthoritiesofhercollege.Ifshedidthat,she,too,liketheothersinthepast,wouldbethrownoutofthesystem.Butthen,whatcouldshedoaboutit?‘Soistherenowayforustotakethismatterforward?’sheaskedArjun.‘Notunlesswehavestrongevidence,’heanswered.‘The victim herself is the evidence. I have seenMahajan sexually abuse her. I am the evidence,’

Rupalisaidloudly.‘Iunderstandthat,Rupali.ButIamwonderinghowstrongourcaseiswithjustthetwoofyouonone

sideagainstsomeonelikeMahajan.WhatifMahajansuesbothofyoufordefaminghim?Whatstopshim from saying that the two of you have attempted tomalign his image for your personal benefit?Whatwillyoudothen?’Rupaliargued,‘Ifhesuesme,thenIwillfightback.Whatsortofahiddenagendacanbeimportant

enoughforawomantoputherownself-respectatstakeforit?’‘YouandIfeelthat.Butinthecourtoflaw,feelingsdonotmatter.Factsandthemotivesdo.’Shewantedtocounterthatone,butwithherlimitedknowledgeofthelegalsystem,shedidn’thave

wordsinherfavour.‘Butthisisnotright.Youknowit.Thisisnotright.Itcan’tkeepgoingonthisway.Because,thisisnotright...’shesaidinsheerfrustration.Arjunwantedtopacifyher,butdidn’tknowwhattodo.Hechosetokeepsilent.Meanwhile,inhis

mind,hewasanalysingthestrengthsandweaknessesofthecaseathandandtheirpositiontofightit.Thethoughtofreachingouttothevice-chancelloroftheuniversityhadalsocrossedhismind.Heknewthatthevice-chancellorwasaladyofvaluesandapersonofgoodheart.Hehadinteractedwithherinthepast.Buthealsoknewherlimitedpowersonmatterssuchasthis,whichraisedafingeragainstthepowerful nexus in the system.Hewasn’t sure shewas strong enough to break through that. Yet hecontinuedtoweightheodds.Thestreetlightsinthehostelblockandthecampusinfrontwereturnedon.Ithadbeenmorethanan

hour that the two of them had been together. He looked at Rupali and wondered if she was stilluncomfortablesittingwithhim.Probablynot—hethoughttohimself.Thenallofasudden,somethingstruckRupali,‘Ihaveevidence!’shesmiled.Arjunwascurious.HewaitedforRupalitospeak.‘Ihave . . .’Rupalistoppedassoonasshebeganhersentence.She tookasecondor twotospeak

again.Asshewasabouttosayit,sherealizedshecouldn’tlookintoArjun’seyeswhilerevealingwhatshewasaboutto.‘AvideoofMahajansexuallyabusingRaheemawilldefinitelyserveasevidence.Right?’

Twelve

‘ShallI?’TherewasadisturbingsilenceinsidethetinycubicleoftheInternetcafe.In the rest of the rows of that overcrowded, noisy and extremely busy Internet cafe, business

continued like every day—movies and video games were being played in the private cubicles. TheintermittentnoisesweremostlycomplaintsaboutthecrawlingspeedoftheInternetanddysfunctionalkeyboards.Amidstthis,therewasanoddsilenceinoneofthecubicles.‘Goforit!’Arjunfinallyspoke.Therewas no looking back forMadhab.No second thought in his calm and composedmind.He

knew what he was doing. They all knew what he was doing. He clicked the ‘Upload’ button. Theexplorer showedaprocessingsign.Theyknew itwasgoing to takea lotof time.MadhabhadmadethemawareofthepatheticInternetspeedinthatcafe.Hewaswellacquaintedwiththiscafe.Infact,hewastheonewhochoseit.AstheexplorercontinuedtoprocessMadhab’supload,everyoneheldtheirbreathinanticipation.IthadbeenmorethanaweeksinceRupalihadtoldArjunaboutMahajan’svideothatshehadshoton

hercellphone.AfterhehadseenitArjunhadusedhistimetobrainstormonhowwellhecouldusethevideo. Itwas indeed an extremely strong piece of evidence, one that had the capacity to take downMahajanifusedwisely.HewasdelightedthatRupalihadsuchastrongproof.TimeandagainhehadcomplimentedherforusinghermindandbeingbraveenoughtocaptureMahajan’sactoncamera.However,despitesuchpowerfulevidence, therewere twochallengesArjuncouldforesee.First,he

didn’twant toassociateRupali’snamewith thevideo. Itwouldbeextremelydangerous forher.Thevideowasboundtoinvitetroubleanditwouldn’tbewisetorevealanynames,notevenaproxy.But then someonewould have to bell the cat. Someonewould have to own it and claim to have

caughtMahajanred-handed.Whoshouldthispersonbe?Arjunwondered.Thesecondchallengehewasworriedaboutwashowhecouldusethisclippingtocausemaximum

damage toMahajan.Was submitting this video in anofficialmanner to the vice-chancellor the rightstep?OrwasitbetternottotrustanyuniversityauthorityandstraightawaylodgeanFIRandthengivethis proof when needed? But, in both cases, there were high chances that someone in Mahajan’snetworkwouldalerthimmuchbefore the truthappeared.Arjundidn’twant togiveMahajan time toreact.AllhisquestionsfoundananswerwhenArjungotRupali’sconsenttoinvolvehisclosepartyworkers

inthismatter—theoneshecouldtrust.Madhab,adiligentvolunteerfromArjun’spartyhadaninterestinethicalhacking.Hadhenotbeen

anArtsstudentinDU,hewouldhavebeenanetworkengineer.Prosonjeet,whotoowasanardentpartymember,hadbeentojailacoupleoftimesduringthepastelectionseasons.Hisexperiencehadgothimquiteafewconnectionsinthepolice.RupaliwasscaredwhenArjunfirstintroducedProsonjeettoher,buthadbecomeokaywhenArjunhadpointedoutthereasonsforwhichProsonjeethadbeenbookedinthepast—holdingcollege strikes,organizingmassprotestsaspeacefulasacandlelightmarchandasloudandvociferousastodisruptafewpoliticaleventsoncampus.‘Ihavebeenapoliticalprisoneryousee.Noextortionormurdersofar!’hehadsaidandeveryone

hadlaughed.‘Look at his tummy, can you believe this fat ass, a year back, had sat on a hunger strike?’Arjun

asked.

Madhabhadadded,‘Andintheeveningshewouldcraveforprawncurry,butsettleforcheapfishfry.Dramaking!’Rupali had laughed like crazy while Prosonjeet had made a face. He didn’t like it that his good

friendswererevealinghissecrets.RupalihadaskedSalonitojoinin.Sheknewthatshewouldfeelmorecomfortablewithherroomie

aroundinthecompanyofthenewguys.Salonitoowaseagertojointhem.ShewantedtomakesurethatArjundidnotuseherinnocentroomietotakerevengeonMahajan.And that evening, when the five of them had first met each other on the college rooftop, Arjun

attemptedtoestablishtrustamongallofthem.Heknewhowimportantitwasthatnoneofthemleakedout any information and each one maintained secrecy. So while explaining the matter to his partyworkers,whowerealsohiscloseassociates,hehadn’tforgottentoincludeSaloni,givingherthefeelingthatshetoowasanimportantpartofthemission.Afterhehadexplainedthegravityofthesituationingreat detail and the risks associatedwith it, he had let the team, includingMadhab and Prosonjeet,watchthevideo.Unlike Prosonjeet, who had mischievously enjoyed watching Mahajan’s aroused expressions,

Madhabwasdisturbedwhenhesawhischeapanimalinstincts.‘Disgustingbastard!Hiswifeshouldseethis!’hehadsaidinanguish.‘Shewillanyhowgettoknowifweplayourcardsright,’Arjunhadsaid,afterwhichhetalkedabout

thepossiblechallenges.Listeningtohisconcerns,everyonehadagreedwithhimthatitwouldbebestnottonameanyoneastheownerofthevideo.Inordertofindasolution,theyhadfirstcomeupwiththeideaofmakingaCDandsendingitbyposttothevice-chancellor’sofficewithanoteattached.Buttherewereafewapprehensions.Thebiggestbeing—wouldtheVCevenactonit?That’swhenProsonjeethadplayedSherlockHolmesandsuggestedwhathebelievedwasabrilliant

idea. ‘Create an anonymous account and post this on the Internet. YouTube, Facebook, Twitter,everywhere!It’sthatsimple!Thenweneedtomakesureafewpeoplefromthecollegewatchit,bas!Icanbet,itwillgoviralinnotime!’Everyonewasquietforawhile,mullingovertheidea.ThenArjunspoke,‘Thatsoundsgood!Really

good!Ithinkitaddressesboththechallenges:Itpromisestokeepusanonymousandifwe,throughananonymousID,postthisonourcollege’sFacebookgroup,itwilldefinitelygoviral.Andsomethinglikethisgoingviralonapublicdomainisboundtocreatemaximumdamage!Veryclever,Prosonjeet!’Prosonjeetsmiledlikehehadwonacompetition.Helookedaroundgloatinglyathisfriends.Saloni

andRupali too had congratulated Prosonjeet on thismaster stroke of an idea.ButMadhabwas stillquiet.Hehad something else on hismind.WhenArjunnoticed his thoughtfulness he askedhimhisconcerns.Madhabpointedoutanimportantissueinthevideo.ToshowthemwhathewastalkingaboutheaskedArjuntoreplaythevideo.Everyonehadsurroundedthemobilephone,toseewhatMadhabwasgoingtotalkabout.Justbefore

theclipwas toend,MadhabaskedArjun topause it.Hesaid, ‘See, this isalmosta two-minute-longvideo.Raheema’sfaceisn’tvisibletillthispoint.Butherfaceisprominentinthelastfewseconds.Ifwepostthisvideoonlineshetoowillgetexposed.Wecan’trevealheridentity.Thisportionwillhavetobedeleted.’Rupaliimmediatelyagreed,‘Wecan’tputRaheema’sidentityatstake.’‘Don’tworry,Iwillcutitdown,’Madhabsaid.Healsoexplainedtheprecautionthattheywouldneed

totakebeforetheypostedit.‘Incasewewanttoremainanonymous,wewouldhavetomakesurethatwedonotpostthisfromaprivatedevice,nordoweuseanetworkthatcanbetracked.ButbeforethatIwillensurethataDVDofthisvideogoestoalocalTVchannel.Weneedthepublicitybutwealsoneedtoconfusepeopleaboutthesourceofthisvideoasfaraspossible.’Thatwasanethicalhackertalking.He was well aware of how to play safe with IT networks. He knew how to be cautious and give

confusingleads.Bythetimetheywerereadytoleavetherooftop,Madhabhadplannedeverything.Itwashisideathat

theywoulduploadthevideofromanInternetcafeinaremotelocationinouterDelhi.HehadinformedtheothersthatitwasabusycafeandinspiteoftheregulationsnooneaskedforanyIDproofandtherewerenoCCTVcamerastotrackanyone.EveryonewasamazedathowwonderfullyMadhabhadputittogetherwithsuchattentiontodetail.And here theywere, finally looking at the video getting uploaded in this overcrowded dirty cafe

wherenorecordsofanysortweremaintainedandtheycouldnotbetracked.Theprocessingbarfinallyreachedtheend.Justbelowit,themessageflashed:‘100%complete’.‘It’sdone,guys!’Madhabsaid.Hiseyeswerestillfocusedonthescreenasherefreshedthepageto

double-checkthatthevideowasupforviews.Itindeedwas.A chill ran down everyone’s spines. With the upload completed, their anxiety had multiplied

manifold.Theyunderstoodtheenormityofwhattheyhadjustdoneandalsooftheirexpectations.Theyknewtherisksassociatedwithit.Atbest,theyhadcalculatedthemandreducedthemtoalargeextent.Yetnoonecoulddenythattherewerealwaysundetectedloopholesandunintentionalevidencethat,ifconnected,couldrevealthetruth.Therewassilenceastheyletthemomentsinkin,followedbyacollectivesigh.Sensingeveryone’sanxiousmoodArjunplayfullyheldMadhabbytheshouldersandpattedhimon

hisback.‘Welldoneguys!We’vedoneit!’MadhabturnedtolookatArjun.Hedidn’tsayanythinginresponseforamoment.Thenhegrinned

naughtilyandeveryonecheered.Theycongratulatedeachother.Gradually,theirfearswerereplacedbyasenseofachievement.Theiranxietygavewaytoeuphoria.

Allofthemfeltasenseofcompanionship.‘BastardMahajanwillnowgetit!’Prosonjeetsaidinexcitement.Hehigh-fivedwithArjunandthen

witheveryoneoftheminthecubicle.‘True!Nowitisonlyamatteroftime,’Salonisaidwithjoy.Everyoneagreed.Whenthegangarrivedbackoncampus,theyhungoutforawhilebeforetheydispersed.Giventhe

enormityof themoment,Arjunspokeafewwords,‘Guyswehavedonesomethinggreat today.Thiswasnecessary.It isnatural tofeelasenseoffear,becausewehavedonesomethingsecretlyandalsobecausewehavestoodagainstapowerfuldevil.Butalsounderstand,guys,thatwehavetakenthebestapproach.We have done enough to mitigate our risks. The best way to put our fears to rest is bythinkingthatMahajanwasn’tafraidofanyonebeforedoingallthewrongsthathedid.Sowhyshouldwebeafraidofdoingtherightthing?’Arjun’swords not only comforted everyone but also rekindled their determination to fight against

Mahajan.Theirapprehensionshadbeentakencareofandtheywereoptimisticabouttheoutcome.Rupali was happy. Even though she hadn’t spoken, she appreciatedArjun’s leadership skills. She

knewthatitwasn’ttheendofherfightforRaheema,butshereckonedthatwithArjun’shelpshehadcomealongway.Besides,itwasn’tonlyherfightnow,shehadfriendsonhersideaswell.Soon,thefiveofthemdispersed.Backintheirindividualspaces,theywaitedtoseethefruitsoftheseedstheyhadsown.TheITgeek

Madhabwas the first to check the progress.As soon as hewent online, he realized that Saloniwaswrongwhenshehadsaidthatitwasonlyamatteroftimebeforethevideowouldgoviral.Ithadtakennotimeatall.

Thirteen

Thereare fires thatspreadgradually.Then thereare those fires thatspread inno time.Theyoffernotime todouse themandburn everything that comes in theirway.The fire inDU,withMahajan, theaccountsprofessor,asitsepicentre,wasofthesecondtype.Theextenttowhichthingsgotrakedupbytheendofthenextweekwasunimaginable,eventothe

ones who had started it. It was as if the university world had been waiting for the evidence.Withanonymous,yetstrongfactspointingtowardsMahajan,luckseemedtohavedisownedhimcompletely.The morning after the video was uploaded on the Internet, Mahajan was the talk of the campus

gatheringsanddiscussions.Afewtech-savvyyoungstershadanticipatedthatwiththenumberofviewsof the video over the Internet growing so fast, the sitesmight verify the content and pull it off. Toovercome that, they recorded the video stream on to their devices. That’s how it moved from theInternettocellphones.Andthenfromonecellphonetoanother.From thecollege’sFacebookpage, thevideomade itsway toDU’sFacebookpage. It then landed

into alumni networks from where it got pushed into their respective corporate circles. Its finaldestination was the news channels, where it became ‘Breaking News’. It wasn’t broadcast, but hadbecomethesubjectofprime-timedebate.The sky had fallen overMahajan’s head. Below his feet the earth too hadmoved. It was as if a

calamity had engulfed him from all directions and he had nowhere to run.As ifwith passing time,misfortunewastighteningitsgriponhimandwasnowpreparingtoswallowhim.Mahajanwas not leftwith any time to investigatewhowas behind all this. Though he had a fair

hunchthatitmighthavebeenRupaliwho,hisfollowershadtoldhim,hadbeenseenwithRaheemaandArjun.Buttherewasnotimetoinvestigatethat.Additionally,alocalTVchannel,forthesakeofTRPs,claimeditas theirown‘stingoperation’.ClearlyMadhab’s ideaofmakingaDVDandshippingit tothatlocalchannelhadworkedtowardsconfusingthemediaandthepublic.The letter thathepostedalongwith theDVDhad read: ‘This is agenuine recording. Ifyoudon’t

believeit,thenwaittilltomorrow.ItwillbeallovertheInternet.Feelfreetoclaimthisrecordingandthenbreakthestoryonyournewschannel.Don’tattempttofindoutwhoIam.Awell-wisherofyourchannel.’Thechannel,asycophantofthepartyinoppositioninthestate,knewhowtouseeveryopportunity

againstthepartyinpower.Whenbackedbyitspromoters,thechannellambastedMahajan,whowastherulingparty’sright-handmaninDU,withoutgivingitasecondthought.Whenonechannelbrokethestory,otherstoowantedtoplayupthehype.Withoutinvestigatingthe

source, they simply ran a ticker claiming that ‘The channel doesn’t vouch for the authenticityof thevideo’, and went ahead with Mahajan’s character assassination, debating how the whole educationsystemhadbecomecorrupt.Guidedbythenationalmedia,therewaspublicpressurenotonlytosackMahajanbutalsotobook

himandthrowhimbehindbars.Inthenormalcourseofthelawforthelattertohappen,anFIRhadtobelodged.Butwithoutthevictimcomingforward,thequestionwas—whowouldlodgetheFIR?Theopposition party leaders were willing. Clearly, they were more interested in playing opportunisticpoliticsandweedingoutMahajanfromthesystem.However,everyonebelievedthatiftheactualvictimdidn’t turn up andmade a statement, itwould only become a fragile case againstMahajan. So theyappealedtimeandagainforthevictimtoturnup.Innextthreedays,sevenwomenturnedup.Theyclaimedtobethewomaninthevideo.Itturnedout

thatallof themwere fake—womenboughtbyoppositionparty leadersonly to start theproceedings.

They were soon dismissed when the evidence did not coincide with what was being shown. Somewomendidnothave thesamephysicalappearanceas thewoman in thevideo.Someweren’table toprove that theywereonDU’spayroll.Theyalsocouldnotprovehow they landedup inside theDUcampusonthegivenday.Thevideohadadatestamp.Arjun andRupali had never thought thatwhat they had donewould lead to a controversy of this

magnitude.Everythingtheyheardofandgottoknowcamethroughpublicsources.Nooneknewabouttheir hand behind all this. Rupali and her gang seamlessly mixed in the crowd protesting againstMahajan,asiftheywerejustlikethem—peoplewhofirstsawthevideoontheInternet.ButthestoryoffakevictimsturninguptofiletheFIRbotheredRupalimorethananyoneelse.Arjunhadtoldherthatifthis continued, itwoulddilute sucha strongcaseandonly leadMahajan toprove that all thiswasaconspiracyagainsthim.Becauseoftheenormousinterestthecasehadgenerated,andforthesakeofhisdaughterSaloni,the

renownedlawyeroftheDelhiHighCourt,KailashChadda,cameforwardtohelpthem.ThishappenedwhenSalonihadgonehomeandtoldherfatherthetruth.Insteadofbeingangrywithhisdaughterforjumpingintothismess,hehadsupportedher.Hebelievedthatshehad,forthefirsttime,takenagreatstandinherlife.Hedidn’twanttoletherdown.He’dthereforecalledRupaliandhernewfoundgangtohis premises to talk to them.He told themofways inwhich they can get awaywithoutmaking thevictimfileanFIR.ThereisaprovisionthatanyindependentcitizenofthiscountrycanstepforwardandlodgeanFIR,heexplained.Andwiththeevidenceinthepublicdomain,it’saloteasiertodoso,hehadsaid.That’salloneneedstokick-starttheprocess.Thevictimisneededatalaterstagewhenthecourtcasebegins.‘Butunfortunatelythesocietywelivein,unlessonehassomeincentivesheorshewouldn’tdoso,’

headded.Buthealsopromisedhisdaughter thatonce theFIR is filed,hewouldmake sure thatMahajan is

immediatelybookedandsentbehindbarsandthenhewillmovecourtagainsthim.Theverynextday,aformalFIRwaslodgedinthepolicestationofNorthCampus.Oncestrong,theMightyMahajan,hadnowbecomearatwhodidn’tdarestepoutofhishouse.Bad

timesarethetruetestofpeoplewhocareforyou.SadlyforMahajan,therewasnoonetobackhimup.Hiswifehadlefthimandgonehomewiththekids.Politically,too,hehadbeenabandoned.Whywouldanyonewant to sail on a sinking ship?For his politicalmasters, instead of facing the issue itwas achancetosacrificeMahajanandgainbrowniepointsinthenameofsympathyforwomen.Andthat’swhathappened.By the end of aweeklong public protest after the videowas first posted, backed by strongmedia

support,theoppositionparty’sdemandandfinallyanFIR,Mahajanwasarrested.Awarranthadbeenissuedagainsthiminthehighcourt.Forthatentireweek,thankfullyforRupaliandArjun,nothingelsehappenedinthecountrythattookawaythelimelightfromthisissue.Invariousforums,indebates,inthe media, the ‘University Account Professor’s Secret Class’ continued to be the topic of muchdiscussionandangertowardsthesystem.Theuniversity, inoneof itsofficialstatements,hadannouncedthesackingofMahajan.Theywere

now looking for his replacement. Meanwhile, Mahajan in his misery, got busy moving to and frobetweenthecourtandthelock-up.‘Butonethingisnotclear.WhowouldhavelodgedtheFIR?’Prosonjeetaskedoutofsheercuriosity.

Thenewfoundgangwascelebratingtheirvictoryonthecollegerooftop.‘Yes,evenIwaswonderingthesame,’Salonirepeated.‘MaybeoneofthevictimsofMahajan’sill

actsfromthepast?Anyway,wewillgettoknowbytomorrow.Forwhatthiscasehasbecomenow,itcan’tremainasecret.Someonewillbreakthestory,’Arjunsaid.‘IlodgedtheFIR.’

ThosewordsfromRupalistunnedeveryone.Ittookamomentforeveryonetoabsorbthisnewbitofinformation.‘What?’Salonisaidsteppingclosertoherroommate.Shefurtherheldhershoulders.‘Whydidyoudothat?’Arjunasked,hisvoicefullofworry.HewasworriedaboutRupalirevealing

heridentityandtakingMahajanheadoninthepublicsphere.‘Whydidn’tyouaskmefirst?’Salonishookhershoulders.EveryonewaitedforRupalitospeakup.Andsoshedid.‘I lodged this FIR in the capacity of an independent citizen of this country, just as your father

suggested,’shesaidlookingatherroommate.Saloniwasabouttosaysomething,butRupalicutheroffmid-sentenceandcontinuedtosay,‘IfIwouldhaveaskedyoubeforedoingso,Iknowyouwouldhavetriedtostopme.’Theboyscontinuedtolisteninastateofsurprise,whileRupalicontinuedtoclarifythematter.‘InmyFIRIhaven’tclaimedthatIshotthevideo.Iamnotthevictimaswell.IjustlodgedanFIR

basedsolelyontheevidenceinthepublicdomain.Noonereallyknowswhoactuallyshotthevideoandwhouploadedthesame.Ouridentitiesarestillhidden.TheworldcontinuestobelieveitwasthatlocalTVchannel.Manyalsobelievethatit’sabunchofmischievousstudents.Afterwhatyourfathersaid,Ikeptthinkingthewholenight.AndthenthismorningwhenIknewwhatIwasgoingtodo,Icalledupmybaba. Ididn’twant todo thiswithout takinghim intoconfidence. Iexplained tohimall thathadhappened andmy stand on this subject. Itwas only after about an hour-long discussion that hewasconvincedthatIwasrightandIshoulddowhatIbelievedin.Hesaidheiswithme.Iexplainedtohimthat Ididn’twant toseeMahajanplaying thevictimcardandmake itseemlikeaconspiracyagainsthim.Ididn’twanthimtoescape.IalsoclarifiedthatfillinganFIRisonlyamentalblock.Whentheevidenceisinthepublicdomain,fillinganFIRagainsttheculpritismerelyaformality.’Shepausedforamoment and then finished by saying, ‘Besides, I had to settlemy equationwithMahajan.He hadslappedmeinhiscabin.Heshouldknowthatit’smyturntoevenit.’‘Soyouslappedhiminpublic!’ProsonjeetclappedappreciatingRupali’sguts.Itchangedeveryone’s

perspective.ThenextmorningDUacknowledgedRupaliasitshero.

Fourteen

Thatdaythefirstsemesterexamshadgotover.WhileRupalibelievedthatshehaddonefairlywellinthe restof the subjects, itwas statistics thathadn’tgoneasperher expectations.But thatwasn’t thereasonbehindheremotionalstateofmindthatafternoonafterwritingherfinaltestpaper.Scoresofauto-rickshawshadlinedupoutsidethecampusandawaitedtheirturntodriveinsidethe

hostel.Therewasaconstantstreamofstudentscomingoutwiththeirbackpacksandrucksacks.Theirfaces radiated immense happiness. The joy of going back to their homes in the semester breakwasclearly visible on each and every face. Far away from the world of books and classes, celebratingChristmasandNewYear’swiththefamilywasoneveryone’smind.Theentireuniversityawaitsthewinterbreakbutnoonemorethanthefirstyearbatch.Whiletheywerewaitingfortheirride,theybrieflydiscussedhowthelastexamhadgone.Theyalso

chattedaboutwhowasgoingwhere,bywhichtrainandwhentheywereplanningtocomeback.Mostof themwere to travel ingroups,while somehad togoalone.As theybidgoodbye to each

other,theauto-rickshawsdrovethemoutofthehostel.Butunfortunately,unlikeothers,Rupaliwasnotgoingbacktoherhometown.Thesuddennewsofa

caraccident inherextendedpaternal familyhad totallychangedhervacationplans.ThenewsofherrelativesadmittedintheICUatahospitalinKolkatahadmadeherparentsrushimmediatelytoattendtotheinjured.Theyboardedthenextavailabletrain.Tanmaytoohadleftwiththem.WithnoimmediatefamilymembersinPatna,itwasmeaninglessforRupalitogohome.Moreover,withsuchshortnotice,therewerenoseatsavailableintrainsfromDelhitoKolkata.RupalihadnochoicebuttostaybackinDelhi.Seeingoffherbatchmatesandwatchingthemleavethecampusonebyone,hadlefthersad.Justlike

them,shetoowantedthejoyofgoingbacktoherhometownandspendingtheholidayswithherfamily.ShewatchedSalonipackherbagstoo.Herfamilyhadplannedatwo-weekholidayinAustralia.She

wasgoingtojointhem.Forthesakeofgivingherroomiecompanyforalittlemoretime,shehadaskedherfathertosendthedriverlateintheevening.Theychattedhappilyaboutthecollegeandtheirfriendsasthetwoofthemsteppedoutandwalked

towards themess.And just like that,Rupali turnedaround to lookat theirhostelblock.Unlikeotherevenings,nowonlyahandfulof roomswere lit against thedarkevening sky.She sighed.Shecouldactuallycountthemonherfingers.ButSaloni tried to soundhappy. ‘See, you are not alone.Youhave company!’She said, trying to

comfortherfriend.Rupalididn’tsayanything.Shecheckedifanyoftheroomsonherfloorwerelit.Therewerenone.Insidethemessthescenewassimilar.Therewasnooneatthedinnertable.Rupalipickedupatray

andtooksomedalandachapatti.Salonisaidshewasn’thungry.ShesaidshewouldtakeabiteortwofromRupali’splate.Shewasgoinghomeasitisandherfamilywouldbewaitingtoeatdinnerwithher.Theysatatonecornerofthetable.Eventhoughshehadcompany,Rupalicouldn’teatanything.Howdesolatethenoisymesshadturnedinto!shekeptthinking.Soon another groupof girls came into themess.Saloni identified that twoof themwere from the

thirdyearbatchandplayedbasketballwithher.Shespoketothemandalsointroducedherroomie.Thegirlswerenotgoingbackhomeandweregoingtostaybackatthehostelfortheentireholidays.Theysaiditwasfunstayingback.Theyplannedtogooutformoviesandshorttripstonearbyplaces.ThatwascomfortingforRupali.Itdidn’tstopSalonifromaskingherseniorfriendsinthebasketball

team to look after her roommate in her absence. Everyone laughed at that. Rupali felt embarrassed.

Salonilaughedtoo,butsaidshewasserious.Whiletheyweretalking, threemoregirlsfromthefirstyearenteredthemess.Theywerefromthe

Artsstream.Rupalididn’tknowtheirnames,butrecognizedthembyface.Shewasthefirsttoaskthem,‘Notgoinghome?’‘No,’theysaidastheyshooktheirheads.Rupaliwasselfishlyhappy.Shedidnotwanttobebyherself.Allofthemchattedonastheyatetheirdinner.Rupalifeltsomewhathappierthatshewasn’tgoingto

beasaloneasshe’dthought.Later,whenSaloni’scararrived,shehuggedherandsaidgoodbye.Theypromisedtobeintouch.

ThenextmorningRupaligotupearly.Theunusualcalmnessinherhostelhadn’tlethersleepforlong.Whileshebrushedherteethatthewashbasin,sheheardafewvoices.Theyweren’tfromherfloorbutperhapsalevelortwoabove.WhenRupalipaidattentiontothem,sherealizedtheyweretwomaidsatdifferent floors talking loudly to each other while cleaning the washrooms. She realized that in herabandonedhostelthevoiceshadnowbeguntoecho.Thedarkgalleriesandthestillwallsofherbarrencorridorsremindedherofbeingallaloneonherfloor.Soshesteppedoutofherblockandwenttothelawninfrontofherroom.Itwasstillearlymorning.

Thechillintheairmadeherpullherstoletightlyaroundherself.Sheshiveredslightlyasshesteppedout, but the cold breeze caressingher face felt good!Her cheeks turned red.Shebreatheddeeply. Itwasn’tsobadbeingaloneandshewasbeginningtoenjoythequiet!Itwasallsopeaceful.Apairofparrotslandedononeendofthelawn.Theywerepercheddelicately

onthethinbranchesofthehedgethatranalongtheperipheryofthelawn.Thentheybeganchirpingandhoppingaround.Rupaliwatchedthemattentively.Itfeltnicetoseethem.Theirchirpingsoothing,likemelodytoherears.Itwasachangefromtheusualnoiseinthehostel.New,beautifulsoundsreplacedthehullabalooofthehostel.Shefeltliketakingoffherslippersandwalking.Sheremovedonefirstandsteppedonthegrass.The

dew-laden tinystrandsofwetgrass tickledhersole.Sheenjoyed thatmoment.She then tookoffherotherslipperandplacedthatfootonthegrass,too.Shesmiledwhenshefeltafreshticklingsensation.She walked around barefoot, happily exploring the pleasant damp earth underneath her feet andappreciatinghowbeautifulthatmorningactuallywas.Forawhile,sheforgotthatshehadnotgonebackhome.The chirping of the birds caught her attention again. She turned to look at the two of them. She

observedhowtheyjumpedfromonebranchtotheother.Attimestheytookashortflighttomovetotheothersideofthehedge.Andonsomeinstances,theycamelookingforsomethingtoeatontheground.Watchingthempeckinginthegrass,Rupalibecamecuriousaboutwhattheywereeating.Shewalked

towardsthemtoobservethemfromacloserdistance.Butunfortunately,thepairsensedapotentialthreatinRupali.EvenbeforeRupalicouldmovecloser,

thepairflewaway.‘Ohwait!’Rupalishouted,herarmsraisedintheirdirectionwhilehereyesfollowedthem.Shewas

sadtoseethemflyaway.Sheshouldn’thavedisturbedthem,shethoughtsadly.Shethenlookedaroundtoseeiftherewereanymorebirdstogivehercompany.Shefoundnone.Andthat’swhenhertulsiplantcaughthereye.Shewalkedtowardsittoseehowmuchithadgrown.

Shehadbeensocaughtupwithherexamsthatshehadn’tfoundanytimetotakecareofit.Itwasthegardenerwhohadbeenwateringitandmaintainingitalongwithotherplantsinthelawns.Rupalibentdownandranherfingersacrossthelittlebranches.Therewerenowtinyflowersontheir

tips.Thestrongfragranceoftulsifilledhernostrilsandsheinhaleddeeply.

‘Ah!’sheexclaimed.‘Lookhowbigyouhavegrown!’shesaidandkeptcaressingtheplantasifitwerealittlepuppy.She’dreadsomewherethatplantstoorespondedtohumantouchandgrewstrongerwhentheyweretalkedto.Shefeltlikeitwasonlyyesterday,thatshehadplantedit.Itwasonlyalittlesaplingbackthen.Her

thoughtswenttoArjun.Itseemedlikeyesterdaywhenshe’dfirstmetArjunatthisveryplaceforthefirsttime.Shewonderedhowherperceptionabouthimhadcompletelychanged.Fromaseniorwhoshethoughtwasabully,shenowfeltthathewasacaringperson.Theyhadseenalotofeachotherandsomuchhadhappenedinthepastsixmonths.ShethoughtaboutRaheemaandherlife.Howthatpoorladyhadundergonesuchamiserablelifeforsolong.ShewonderedhowmanyRaheemaswouldhavelivedasimilarhorrible life,scared tospeakupanddyinganewdeatheveryday.Even though ithadbeenamonthsinceMahajanwasinthelock-up,shestillfounditdifficulttoaccepthowtheentireepisodehadunfolded and had such a favourable ending. She thought she had just got lucky that she had theevidence.Butthen, inherheart,shealsoknewthat luckfollowsthosewhoseldomincludeit intheirplans.Thesunwasfinallyupintheeast.Ithadalreadybeguntoformapatchofwarmthinfrontofher.She

satontheslightlydampgrassandstretchedbothherlegsintothesun.Shefeltnicewhenthemorningraysfellonherwetfeet.Minutegreen,yellowandbrownstrandsofgrassalongwithdirtclungtothebaseofherfeet.Theyfilledinthegapsofhertoesandsoiledhersoles.Shesatbackandrelaxed.Lifehadbeengoodsofar.Laterintheday,aftershehadherbreakfast,RupaliwenttovisitanearbyKrishnatemple.Thiswas

thetemplesheotherwiseusedtovisiteverySunday.Buttodayshe’dfelt likevisitingitagain.Itwasbetter than sitting idle.She’daskeda coupleof friends if theywanted togo,but all had refused.Soshe’dstartedonherown.Thetemplewashardlyanydistancefromthehostel.AsRupaliwalkedupthestepsofthetemple,shefeltatpeacebutalittlealone.‘IwishI’dnotcome

alone,’shethought.Butjustasshewasabouttotakeoffhershoes,somethingpleasanthappened.Shesawafamiliarface.He’dspottedherbeforeshesawhimandhadstopped.Shesmiled.ItwasArjun.

Fifteen

‘Youhaven’tgoneback?’Arjunaskedassoonashecamenearher.Rupalishookherhead.‘No,’shesaidandsmiled.UnexpectedlybumpingintoArjunhadmadeher

feelabithappyandrelieved.‘Whyso?’Arjunasked,whileofferingashareofhisprasadtoRupali.Rupali toldhim the reason and then tookabit of theprasadbecause sheknewshewouldget her

sharewhenshewent in.And then therewasapause in theirconversation.Therewasnothing to talkabout.‘Yougoaheadandofferyourprayers.I’llwaithere,’hesaidsuddenly.‘Okay,’shenoddedandsmiled.‘Don’ttaketoolong,’hesaid.Thistimewithabiggrinonhisface.Andtherehestood,exactlyas

shehadseenhimforthefirst time,hisarmsfoldedacrosshischestandhisheadtiltedslightlytotheright.Anyothertime,Rupaliwouldnothavewantedanyonetowaitforher.ButnowthatArjunwasthe

onlyfamiliarpersonatatimewheneveryfriendhadgoneonaholiday,shefeltwarmandhappythathewasthereforher.‘Yes,notmorethanfiveminutes!’Rupalisaidandalmostranupthesteps.It’snotthatArjunandRupalihadn’tbeenintouchaftertheMahajanepisodegotover.Butthenthe

preparationleavesandsemesterexamshadinterruptedtheircasualinteractions.ToaddtothegapwasthefactthatArjunwasalocalitewhileRupalistayedinthehostel.Rupalikeptherwordandgotbackontime.Arjunwasbusyonaphonecall.Shewaitedforhimto

finishandwhenArjunnoticedherattheentrancegate,hehungup.‘Here.Takethis,’sheimmediatelyofferedhershareoftheprasadtohim.Arjunsmiledandtookit.ThenRupaliwonderedwhethertheyweregoingtocontinuetalkingattheentranceofthetempleor

wouldsoongoindifferentdirections.AndasifArjunhadreadhermind,heaskedwhethershewouldliketogotoanearbydhaba.‘Ihaven’thadmybreakfastandthecookatthedhabamakesreallygoodparanthas.’Rupali didn’t have any plans for the day, so she didn’tmind the idea. But she’d already had her

breakfastandsaidso.‘I’vehadmybreakfast,’shesaid,makingasorryface.‘Thenhaveacupoftea.Thisguymakesverygoodgingertea,too!’Arjunsaidimmediately.Shelookeduptohisfaceandnodded.‘Youlovetea,don’tyou?’heaskedastheywalkedtowardsthedhabaonastreetfullofpedestrians

andhawkers.‘Yes,howdidyouknow?’sheasked,surprised.Addingtothechaosaroundthemweretheshoutsof

theroadsidevendorswhowereofferinglow-cost itemsatequallylowpricesandthenoisycustomerswhostillwantedmorediscounts.‘Justlikethat,’hesaidwithanaughtytwinkleinhiseyes.Rupali stood there, surprised. Arjun didn’t seem like an ordinary guy. Therewas something very

warmabouthim,somethingthatmadeherfeelnice.‘Nowareyoucomingornot?’heasked.Sherushedtobebyhissideandthentheywalkedtogether.‘Sodoyouvisitthistempleeveryday?’sheasked.‘Hmm...yes,almost,’hesaid.Inhermind,RupaliconjuredupanewimageofArjun,areligiousone.

Agushof hotwhite steam risingup from the hot bedof a big iron tawawelcomedRupali to thedhaba.Insidewereadozenplastictableswithchairsoneachside.Therewerealotofpeopleinsideandit appeared toRupali that everyonewashavingparanthas!Thewarmair carriedanaromaof freshlymadeparanthasgoodenoughtotickleanyone’sappetite.Evenonamildlycoldmorning,thewarmairfeltnice.Arjunwasgreetedbysomeoneatthecashcounter.Hestoppedbyforalittlechat.Rupalirealizedthat

hemusthavebeenafrequentcustomer.BythetimeArjungotinside,Rupalihadalreadytakenatable.‘Ihaveordered forgobiparanthas.Areyousureyoudon’twantany?’heasked,pushinghischair

backtosit.‘Yes,’Rupalisaidpolitely.‘I’llhavesometeainawhile,’shereplied.‘Okay,yourchoice.Youaremissingsomethingreallygood!’‘So howmuch time do you spend praying every time you visit the temple?’ she asked, trying to

changethetopic.ShewascuriousabouthowreligiousamanArjunwas.‘Idon’tpray,’hesaid.‘Whatdoyoumeanyoudon’tpray?’‘IvisitthetemplebecauseIlovetheprasad,’helaughed.Rupalilookedathisface.Hesmiled.Sheblushed.Shehadbeenright.Hewasn’tanordinaryguy,at

leastnotforher.Then, thankfully, the food arrived—twohot paranthaswith a bowl of curd, a thick slice of butter

servedseparatelyontranslucentpaperwithsomePachrangapickle.‘Hmm...’Arjunstaredathisawesome-lookingmouth-wateringplate.Hethenpeeledouttheslice

ofbutterfromthepaperanddroppeditrightatthecentreofoneofthetwoparanthas.Hethensprinkledsome black pepper on the curd. In no time, the buttermelted and two tiny streams of it ran in twooppositedirections.Rupali watched. She was smiling. The flavour-laden vapours were indeed making it all look

delicious.Shewonderedifsheshouldhaveorderedonetoo.‘Hmm...delicious!’Arjunsaidwithhiseyesclosed.Hiscompletefocuswasonrelishingthetaste

ashetookhisfirstbite.Rupalienjoyedwatchinghim.‘Youmusthavethis!’ArjunsaidthenexttimehelookedatRupaliwhiletryingtodiphisnextbitein

thebowlofcurd.‘Iwouldhavelovedto,butIhavealreadyhadmybreakfast.Butnexttimeforsure.’Thensheasked

again,‘Soyouvisitthetempleonlyforitsprasad?’Arjunnodded,unabletoopenhismouthwhichwasstuffedwithabigbite.Rupalilookedamused.‘DoyouknowwhereonecanfindthebestprasadintheentireDelhi?’‘I never ranked templesbasedonhowdelicious theprasad served there is!’Rupali answered.She

wonderedwhatsortofadaily-temple-goingmanArjunactuallywas!Arjunlickedthetipsofhisgreasybutteryfingers.Rupalistared.‘Desifood!Desistyle!Well,Ijustcan’thelpit.Thiswholethingissoaddictivelydelicious!’hesaid.Rupalilaughed.‘Addictive!’ShecouldclearlyseeArjun’smadnessaboutparanthas,sotheadjectivesuitedhim.Asamatterof

fact,shesortoflikedthatchildlikehappinessinArjun’snature.ShetriedtorelatethistotheArjunwhohadhelpedherfightagainstMahajan.‘BanglaSahibgurudwara,’Arjunsaidabruptly,breakingherthoughts.‘Sorry.What?’

‘The place where you get the best prasad in Delhi, Bangla Sahib gurudwara,’ he repeated self-absorbedly.Rupali slapped her forehead. Shewas amused at how he still hadn’tmoved on from the topic of

prasads.Shefounditdifficultnottosmile.‘Soyougotoallreligiousplaces?Imeanyoubelieveinallreligions?’sheaskedcuriously.But Arjun had just stuffed yet another bite into his mouth. Bite by bite both the paranthas had

vanishedfromArjun’splate.Whatwasleftonhisbutter-coatedplatewerebitsofcauliflower,onionsandcoriander.Theywerenextonhisradar.Hestuckhisfingeronthemandlickedthemofftoo.Rupalimadeaface.‘Weshouldn’twastefood!’hesaidmischievously,lookingcompletelysatisfiedandslumpingbackin

hischair.‘ShallIorderteaforyounow?’heasked.‘Yes!’‘Great!’Arjunsaidshouted,‘Bhaiyadochaichahiyeaursaathmeinekaurparantha.’(Twoteasand

oneparantha,please.)‘Onemore?Youarestillhungry?’ThistimeRupaliwasnotsosurprised.Bynowshehadafairidea

ofwhatafoodieArjunwas.Amanwhorankstemplesasperthetasteoftheirprasads!‘See, unlike a potato or, for thatmatter, cheese, cauliflower is a seasonal vegetable. In thewinter

cauliflowertastesthebest.So,sincewinterswillonlylastfortwoorthreemonths,itmakessensetoeatasmanyaspossibleduringthistime,’Arjunrationalizedwithhisowncrazylogic.Eventhoughshedidnotbuyit,Rupalienjoyedwhathewassaying.Arjuncontinuedandmentioned

mooli and methi paranthas, which too were seasonal. Rupali was quite enlightened with Arjun’sexpertise on the subjectmatter thatwent as deep asmentioning theniche ingredients that one couldinclude in themixture of various paranthas.Dry pomegranate seeds in aloo paranthas and the slightinclusionoffreshlygratedgingeringobiparanthascouldtakethetastetoadifferentlevel.Shewas impressed.Thebreakfastbackatherplace inBiharwasneversorichandcalorie-loaded.

Notonlyhadsheenjoyedwatchingaman’s‘addiction’toparanthas,shehadalsofoundoutthathehadafineknowledgeoftherecipestoo!Aboyarrivedwithtwoglassesofsteamingteaandanotherplateoffoodwithsomemorebutter,curd

andpickle.Arjuncarefullytoreitintotwohalvestoletthesteamout.‘Wow!Thisteaisactuallynice,’Rupalisaidatthefirstsipofhertea.‘See, I told you, this dhaba is really good.Youmust try eating this aswell,’ he said happily and

shoutedtorepeathisorderfortea,evenbeforeRupalicouldsayno.Someoneatthecounterfurthershoutedouttosomeoneelsetofulfiltheorder.Itlookedasifitwas

meantforabarelyvisiblemanhiddenbehindthesteaminthemakeshiftkitchen.Immediately,Rupalistoodup,lookedatthecounterandsaidembarrassedly,‘Nahibhaiya,nahichahiye!’(No,Idon’tneedanymore!)Thecounterguyagainshoutedatsomebarelyvisibleman,thistimetocanceltheorder.Arjunlaughed.Rupali sat down and looked atArjun. ‘I can’t eat onewhole parantha, but can I take a bite from

yours?’Arjunlookedathismessed-upplatewithpatchesofcurdhereandthere,andthenathisbutter-soaked

fingers.Hethoughtifhecouldhaveeatenlikeagentlemaninsteadofdemonstratingandjustifyinghisdesistyletoeatthedesifood,hewouldn’thavebeenembarrassed.Nowitwastoolate.Rupalicarefullybrokeabitefromtheparanthawheretherewaslessbutteranddippeditintothecurd

inwhichArjunhaddippedhisfingerssomanytimes.AndeventhoughArjunwasembarrassedtoletRupalieatfromhisclutteredplate,helovedwatching

hereatlikealady.Hewassuddenlyveryconsciousofherpresence.Herfacewasglowingeveninthe

semi-darknessoftheroom.Herfeaturesweredelicate—neithertoosharpnortoosoft—gentleandlight.Assheate,astrandofhairfellonherface.Shequicklytuckeditbehindherear,butnowitwasshiningwithoiliness.Arjunkeptstaringather.Hecouldfeelhimselfgettingattractedtoher.Shewasn’t likeanyothergirlhehadknown.RupalinoddedlookingatArjun,appreciatingthetaste,‘Thisisgood!’‘Haina, amazing!’Arjunsaid,comingoutofhis thoughts.Rupali tookanother sipof tea fromher

glassandstaredattheleftoverparanthaonArjun’splate.‘Half–half?’sheaskedinadelightedvoice.‘Justbecauseit’syou!’Arjunsaid,naughtilywinkingatherandhappilysharingwhateverwaslefton

theplate.Afterwhatappearedlikeanhourorso,thetwoofthemfinallycameoutofthatplace.Whilewashing

herhandsoutsidewitha jugofwater,RupalisuddenlyrecalledsomethingandshoutedatArjunwhowaspayingatthecounter.‘Hey,youhaven’tyetansweredmyreligionwaalaquestion!’Whenbothofthemwerebackonthestreetagain,Arjunasked,‘YouwantedtoknowifIbelievein

allreligions?’Rupalinodded.‘Actually,Idon’tbelieveinGod.Iamanatheist,’heclarified.Rupali was shocked. ‘What? So you only go to temples and gurudwaras for free ka prasad?’ she

probed.The twoof themcontinued towalk leisurely.Theyhadn’tplannedwhere theyweregoingnext,so

theyunmindfullytookthewaybackfromwheretheyhadcome—thetemple.‘Firstly, I don’t consider it free. Every time I go, I drop somemoney in the donation box. Even

thoughIdon’tbelieveinGod,IcannotdenythatIfeelatpeacewheneverIcometosuchplaces.Ihavebeentochurchesandmosquesaswell.Nowthereonedoesn’tgettoeatprasad.ThereisadifferentsortofpeaceIfindattheseplaces.Somesortofacalmingeffect,thatIlikeexperiencing.Yousee,Idon’tbelieveinGod,butIliketheseplaces.’ArjuntriedtoexplainandwassurethatRupaliwouldn’thavegotexactlywhathewantedtosay.Rupalithoughtitwasaninterestingargument.Herewasamaninfrontofher,whosaidhewasan

atheist, but loved frequenting every religious place. Deciding to carry forward that discussion andwanting to know more about Arjun’s thoughts—especially why he was an atheist—she asked himwherethetwoofthemwereheading.‘Noidea,whataboutyou?’heaskedandsmiled.Inhisheart,hewantedhertosayshewantedtobe

withhim.Andeventhoughhehadsomeplansfortheday,hedidn’tmindcancellingthemforRupali.Hewantedtoknowherbetter.‘Noidea...’sheshookherheadcutely.‘Then let’s go and taste thebest prasad! Itwill be fun.HaveyouvisitedBanglaSahibgurudwara

yet?’

Sixteen

‘Sotellme,whydon’tyoubelieveinGod?’Theywereonboardametroheading towardscentralDelhi.Unable to find seats, the twoof them

stoodnexttoeachotheronthecrowdedtrain.WhileRupalihadrestedherbackagainstaverticalbar,Arjunheldontothesupporthangingabovehimfromtheroofofthetrain.‘Infact,toanswerthatquestion,letmefirstaskyou.WhydoyoubelieveinGod?’Rupalicouldn’tgiveananswertothequestion.Shehadneverfelttheneedtothinkaboutareasonto

believe inGod. Itwas strangeand sheonly endedup saying, ‘Comeon!Somanypeoplebelieve inGod!Ifhewasnotthere,whywouldsomanypeoplebelieveinhim?’‘Isthatyouranswer?Becausesomanypeoplebelieveinhim,thereforeyoudotoo?’Rupalihesitated.‘Yes,that’smyreason,becauseeversinceIwasakid,Ihavebeentoldthatthereis

aGod. That’swhowe pray to at home, and in the temples.Our history establishes this fact. ThoseancientholybooksinvariousreligionsstatethatthereisaGod,’shesaid.Arjunsighedandshookhishead.Rupalispokeagain,‘Okay!CanyoudismisstheepicsRamayanaandMahabharataandalsodenythe

presenceofGodsinthemwhokilledKansaandRavana?’‘Well, a correction,Ms Rupali Sinha,’ Arjun said. ‘In my understanding, Ram and Krishna were

avatarsofGodandnotGodthemselves.Mohammedwasaprophet.GuruNanakwasaguru.TheyallweremessengersofonesupremeGod.’‘So at least you agree that there exists one supremeGod!’Rupali felt she hadwon the argument.

Therewasasmileonherface.‘Well,Idon’tdenythat.’‘Yes,sowhenyousayyoudon’tdeny,itmeansthatyouagree.Right?’Inherexcitementsheraiseda

fingeratArjun.Shewantedtonailhimdown.‘Not denying something doesn’t mean agreeing with that thing. It simply means not denying it,’

arguedArjun.‘Now you are playing with words,’ she pouted sadly. Sensing that she had suddenly lost her

enthusiasm, Arjun changed the discussion. ‘Okay, listen. Here are my thoughts. If you would havelistenedtomecarefully,youwouldrememberthatIneversaidthatGoddoesn’texist.IonlysaidthatIdon’tbelieveinhim,whichmeansevenifheexists,Idonotbelieveinhim.See,Iagreethatthereissomethingoutthere,somesupremepowerthatisbehindthecreationofthisuniverse.WhilesomemaycallitGod,tomeitisablackbox.Iamnotsurewhoorwhatexactlyitis.’Arjun’s point rekindled the interest in Rupali who now happily continued the discussion. Rupali

appreciatedthefactthatArjun’sdisbeliefinGodwasnotbaseless.Irrespectiveofwhetherornothewasright,hehadarationaletoit.Twopeoplecouldbeequallygoodevenwhentheymayhavecompletelyoppositethoughtprocesses.RupalinowlookedatArjunwithalotofrespectandshecouldn’tdenyshewasenjoyinghiscompany.Afterhaltingatoneof thestations, themetroabruptly startedwithamassive jerk.Alongwith the

others,Rupalitoowasthrownoffandsinceshehadonlyrestedherbackontheverticalbarandwasn’tholdingontoasupport,shewasabouttofall.Tosaveherself,shereflexivelyheldontoArjun’skurta.Rupali,whose first thought after recoveringwas how to dealwith the awkwardness of coming so

closetoArjun,triedtomoveawaywithoutlookingintohiseyes.Suddenly,thetrainedjerkedtoahaltagain.Butshehadn’tseenthatcoming.ShewasstillholdingontoArjun’skurta.Arjuntriedtosaveherthistimeand,suddenly,thetwoofthemheardasoundofsomethingtearing.Itwasthechestpocketof

Arjun’skurta.‘Ohno!I’msosorry!’shecried.Butshewasmoreembarrassedthansorry.Allshewantedtodoin

thatmomentwashideherfaceandneverseeArjuntillthecollegeopenedagain!Arjunlookedathishalf-tornpocket.HelookedatRupali,whosehandwasonhermouth.‘Stopdoingthatandatleastholdontoasupportnow!’hesaidlaughing.Shelookedevenmoreembarrassed.‘Relax! It’s okay. You didn’t do that on purpose. See, it now complementsmy ripped jeans!’ He

chuckled,showingherthepatchesandthreadsdanglingfromhisdesignerjeans.‘No, it’snotokay. It looksfunnyand this isentirelymymistake.And it’sbotheringmea lot,’she

whined.‘Ifit’sbotheringyou,don’tlookatit.’‘HowdoInot lookat it? It is rightonyourchest.Every timeI lookatyou, I lookatwhat Ihave

done,’sheanswered.‘Thendon’tlookatme.’‘HowdoInot...’andshestoppedshortofcompletingit.Arjunlookedatherandthenwalkedawayfromher.Shewatchedhiminteractwithafewpeoplewho

sat with their bulky office bags on their laps. She could make out that Arjun was asking them forsomething.Oneofthemnoddedandhandedoversomethingfromhisbag.Itwasastapler.Arjunstapledhistornpocket.‘Jugaad,’hesaidwithasmile.‘Doesitbotheryounow,madam?’‘No,’Rupalirespondedshyly.ThiscaringgesturefromArjuntouchedherheart,yetagain.Later in theafternoon, thetwoof themsat inonecornerof thesanctorumsurroundingthesarovar

(theholypool)inthegurudwara.Beforearrivingthere,bothhadperformedseva(freeservices)inthelangar(freecommunitykitchen)hall.ItwasRupali’sfirst timeinagurudwara.Arjunhadshownherhowinagurudwaraanyonecouldparticipateinofferingserviceslikestoringandpolishingtheshoesofthevisitors,orservingfoodinthelangarorcleaningutensilsorthegurudwaracomplex.RupalihadjoinedArjuninservingthelangarandquiteenjoyedit.Startingfromlettingherknowthat

sheshouldkeepherheadcoveredtoshowingherhowtoservethechapattis,Arjunhadquicklytaughthereverything.Aftera few roundsof serving, theyate together.All along,Arjunkept tellingRupaliaboutallthatheknewaboutSikhism.Finally,sittingattheedgeofthesarovar,RupaliwasteasingArjunonhowshamelesslyhehadtaken

theprasadforthethirdtime.Arjunkeptgrinningasheatethefinalservingofitwithgreatpleasure.Theysatquietlyandenjoyedthecalmnessofthatplace.Forawhilenoonespokeanything.‘Forallthatyoudo,youaresoneartoGodandstillyoudon’tbelieveinhim,’Rupalispoke.Arjundidn’tfeeltheneedtorespond.Hedidn’t.‘YoudosomuchherethataGod-fearingpersonlikemewouldn’thavethoughtofdoingtillnow.’‘God-fearing?’Arjunasked.‘Ithoughtyoubelievedinhimratherthanfearinghim.’Rupaliwasquiet.Withoutexpectinghertoreacthesaid,‘Idon’tcomeheretoconnectwithGod.IcomeherebecauseI

feelatpeaceinthisdivineatmosphere.Ilikelisteningtoanazaaninamosque,inhalingthesmellofincenseinatemple,lightingacandleinachurch,sittingbythesideofasarovarinagurudwara.Ifeelgoodexperiencingallthis.That’smyonlytakeaway.’As they talked, the twoof themdidn’t lookateachother.Theireyes staredat the silentwaters. It

appearedasiftheywerenottalkingtoeachotherbuttothewaterinfrontofthem,turnbyturn.‘I have never met an interesting person like you, who has crossed the man-made boundaries of

religionandstill rejects the ideaofGod,’Rupali saidsoftlywithoutexpectingany furtherargumentsfromArjun.

Buthe responded, ‘What’s thepointofbelieving inhim ifhe isnot therewhenyouneedhim themost?’RupaliturnedherheadtowardsArjunandasked,‘Whatdoyoumeanbythat?’It tookArjunafewmomentsofsilenceandRupaliafewmomentsofanticipationbeforehespoke

again.‘HeardoftheBenaresbombblastsintheyear2006?’‘Yes.’‘Ilostmyeldersisterinit.’‘Oh!Iamsosorrytohearthat!’RupalicouldalmostunderstandwhyArjunhadlostthefaithinGod.‘Shewassuchanicehumanbeing.Sheusedtohelpeveryoneinneedanddidn’tmindsacrificingher

time,energyandmoneyforothers.Just likeyou.Alotmorereligiousthanme.Yes,backthen,IhadfaithinGod—somethingthatIlostaftershediedinthattempleandherdearGod,towhomsheprayedforages,couldn’tdoanything.’‘IcanseethatyouhavebeenholdingontothisgrudgeagainstGodfornotsavingyoursister.But

eventually,wewillalldieoneday.Everyonewhotakesbirthhastodie.ShouldonestopbelievinginGodthen?’‘Yes,everyonehastodieoneday.Butnoonedeservestodiethatway—inabombblast,’Arjunsaid,

lookingatherwithsomerage.‘Butitwasanactofterrorists.WhyareyouholdingGodresponsibleforit?’‘Because if theworld believes thatGod is that supremepowerwithoutwhose permission nothing

happens, then I have all the right to believe that that very God killed my sister. Yes, that’s what Ibelieve.’Arjunsoundedrebellious.HepulledhiseyesawayfromRupali,backtothewater.‘Don’tsaythat,Arjun...’Rupalisoftlyurged.‘Whynot?Wasn’titGod’swish?Mysisterhaddreams.Shewantedtodoalotofthings.Shedidn’t

deservethis.Whatwasherfault...’ThenhefeltRupali’shandoverhisrightshoulder.Arjuncalmeddown.‘Iam...Iamsorry.’Rupalinoticedhismoisteyes.Shegentlyrubbedhisshoulder.‘Idon’tknowif thisistrue,butour

religionsaysthatourdestiniesaredefinedbyourkarma.’‘Yes, it says so. And everyone who knows my sister would vouch for her good karma,’ Arjun

responded.‘AndmylackoffaithinGodisnotjustlimitedtowhathappenedwithmysister.Readthenewspapers. Little kids who haven’t even gained consciousness die cruel deaths. What about theirkarma?Had they even turned old enough to perform their karma?And if not, then based onwhichkarmadidGodwritetheirdestiny?’heasked.‘Wecarryforwardourkarmafromourpreviouslives...’‘Butisn’tthisbizarre?HowwouldIknow

whatIhavedoneinmypastlife?Shouldn’tthisbalancesheetofkarmaanddestinybesettledinoneliferather thanbecarriedforwardfromone to thenext?Whyrewardmeorpenalizemeforwhat Ihavedoneinmypastlife,whichIhaveabsolutelynoideaabout?Whynotdoitinthislife?’RupalilookedatArjun.ShewantedtochangeArjun’snotionsonthesubjectofGod,butArjunended

upchallengingherunderstanding.Herideawasnottowinthedebate,buttotryherbittomakeArjunregainhislostfaith.ShelookedsomiserablethatArjunfeltshewasgoingtocry.Sohechangedthetopic.‘AndwhatkarmadidIdothatagirlfromDUendeduptearingthepocketofmykurtainacrowded

metro?’Rupalismiledsuddenly.‘Don’tworry,Iwillstitchthepocketback,’shesaid,grinningnaughtily.‘Really?Iwouldn’tmindavailingthatoffer!’hesaid,laughing.Rupalinoddedconfidently.Theyhadafewlightmomentsafterthat.Andaftertheirheavydiscussion,

thesemomentsbythesideofthesarovarappearedlikerealbliss.

Wheneveningfelltheyleftforthecampus.Atthegateofthegirls’hostel,Arjunbidhergoodbye,butnotbeforethetwoofthemhaddecidedwhenandwheretheyweregoingtomeetthenextday.

Seventeen

Theholidayswerepassingbyratherquicklyforsomereason.Therewasalwayssomethingnewtodo.RupaliwasenjoyingbeingatouristinDelhi.Onemorethingmadeherveryhappy—topickupatopicand discuss and debate it with Arjun. From religions to reservations, from global warming to localmindsets,theiragendahadextremelydiverseitems.Oftentheywouldcomeupwithprobablesolutionstotheexistingchallenges.Andthewholeexerciseofbrainstormingbecameveryinteresting.Attimestheywerenot inagreementandhadcontradictoryviewsoverasubjectmatter.But interestingly, theyneverfoughttoproveI-am-right-and-youare-wrong.Theyrespectedeachother’sopinionsandpolitelydisagreed.IthadbecomeahabitforRupalitojotdowntheinterestingthingsshelearntfromArjun.Little did the two realizehow thepassingdayshadbrought thememotionally close to eachother.

TheywouldgotoplaceslikeIndiaGateandAkshardhamand,attimes,roaminthemarketsofJanpathandSarojiniNagar,randomlybuyingsomethingforthemselves.Theywouldspendanentiredayineachother’s company. Once out of her hostel in the morning, Rupali would only come back late in theevening.Iftherewasstillsometimeleftforherhostelgatestobelocked,thetwoofthemwouldchit-chatforafewmomentsnext to the lawns;elseArjunwoulddropheronhisbike.Everypassingdaymadethemdependoneachother’scompany,somuchso,thatiftheydidnotseeeachotherforonedaytheymissedeachotherterribly.Theydidn’trealizethisuntilithappenedoneday.Arjun had to go to Karnal to attend a relative’s wedding. In his absence, Rupali accepted the

invitationtojoinafewgirlsfromthehostelontheirshoppingspree,onethatshehadotherwisesaidnoto.Butthatdidn’tcomfortheratall!Shewasusedtoseeinghimeveryday.Allofasudden,hisabsenceaftersomanydayshadleftavoidthatshefounddifficulttofill.Milesapart fromher inadistantcityamid thebustlinggatheringofaweddingcelebration,Arjun,

too,feltasifsomethingwasincomplete.Itappearedunusualtohimtonotlistentoherlivelychatter,her lovely innocent voice.With happy faces surrounding him, hewonderedwhatwasmissing.Whywasn’thehappy?Whywashesotroubledthathehadn’tseenRupali?Marriages, music, celebrations, meeting relatives, all these would excite him earlier. He always

waitedforsucheventstohappenandwouldgetcompletelyinvolvedinthespiritofit.Thenwhywasitthathedidnotfeellikemeetinganyonenow?WhywasitthathewaswaitingfortheceremoniestogetoversohecouldgobacktothesameroutinewithRupali?Somethinghadchangedforthebothofthem.Andtheonlywaytotideoverthislonelinesswastotexteachother.SotheyendedupsendingSMSes

toeachother.TosaveherselffromunwantedattentionRupalihadputhermobilephoneonthevibrationmode.Sheknewsomeofthegirlsshewashangingoutwithwerebig-timegossipers.IntheafternoonwhenRupaliwashavingaquickmealwithherfriendsinthefoodcourtofamall,

Arjunsentafewmessages.Shethoughtshewouldrespondafterfinishinghermeal.Shealsowantedtoavoidtextingtoofrequentlyinfrontoftheothergirls.Allthiswhile,however,Arjunkeptcheckinghiscellphoneinanticipation.Hewonderedwhyallofa

suddenhehadstoppedgettingresponses.Itbotheredhim.HefelthecouldnotconcentrateonanythingelsetillRupaliwroteback.Itwasastrangefeelingthatwasmakinghimimpatient.When he could not wait any longer, he dialled her number. When Rupali saw his call, she was

overjoyed.Her eyes lit up even though she tried to keep her feelings from showing.The other girlsnoticed and smiled knowingly at each other. Rupali avoided their eyes, excused herself andwalkedawayfromthemforabit.Nowthatwasamistakewhichconfirmedthesuspicionoftheothergirls.‘Hi!’shesaidnervously.

‘Hi!’thevoiceattheotherendresponded.Thentherewassilenceatbothends.Abeautifulsilencethatwaspleasanttotheearsandthatnoone

wantedtofill.Thesilencethatspokefarbeyondjustwishes.Thesilencethatgavethembutterfliesintheirstomach.Arjun,when confrontedwith this silence, suddenly forgotwhat he had to say. ‘How . . . howare

you?’ he asked, stuttering, and then bit his tongue. Hadn’t he been texting her since he’d left andexchangedatleastahundredmessageswithher!Howbeautifullyhehadputhisfootinhismouthwiththatquestion!Rupalisecretlylaughedatthat.Shehadsensedhisdiscomfortbutdidn’taddtohisembarrassment.

‘I’mfine.Howarethingsthere?’sheasked,wantingtoknowabouttheweddingcelebrations.‘It’sallnice,butforsomereasonIamfeelingbored.’‘Bored?Butwhy?’ButArjundidn’thaveanythingconcretetoanswer.Rupalitooacceptedthatitwasn’texcitingforher

tocomeoutshoppingwiththeothergirls.Shetoogotbored.‘Butwhy?’thistimeArjunaskedher.Rupalihadaconcreteanswer. ‘Because theyeithergossipall the timeoronly talkaboutwhat’s in

andwhat’soutoffashion,’shesaid.Arjun laughed andwhen he started to say something,Rupali cut him short and said softly, ‘I am

missingthekindofconversationswehaveeveryday...’Therewasthatsilencebetweenthemagain.Arjunadmiredherforbeingupfrontandtellinghim.Hewonderedifhecouldhavesaidthattoher

withsuchease.Hethoughtforamomentandthenasked,‘Sotellmethis,hadIbeenthere inDelhi,wherewouldwehavegonetodayandwhatwouldhavebeenthetopicofourdiscussion?’‘Hmm!Goodquestion.Letme think . . .’ she said and then thought for a few secondsbefore she

spokeagain.‘Iwouldhavelikedtogosomeplaceneartheairport.Iwouldhavelovedtoseetheplaneslandingandtakingofffromtheairstrip.’‘Interesting!Andwhatwouldwehavebeendiscussing?’‘Hmm…Dreams!Ourdreams!Flyinghighinthelimitlessskywhichisconsideredaslimitlessasour

thoughts.’‘Lookslikewemissedwhatwouldhavebeenanexcitingday!’Arjunchuckled.‘Willyoutakemetherewhenyouareback?’sheaskedquickly.TheinnocencewithwhichRupaliaskedthatquestion,touchedArjun’sheart.Thosesoftwords‘will

youtakeme’,drenchedinhope,keptringinginhisearsforafewsecondsashereplied,‘Iwouldlovetodothat!’Alittlelater,aftertheyhungup,theywereagainbacktothebusinessofexchangingmessagesover

theirphones.Rupaliwasthefirstonetodosowhenshewrote:‘It’snice2listen2urvoice.’Whensherealizedthatshehadforgottentoaddasmileyintheend,shesentasecondmessage,whichwasjustasmiley.Fortherestoftheday,theycontinuedtobeintouchwitheachother.Theywerenotsittingidleand

wereengagedinthecompanyoftheirfriendsandfamily,yettheypickedupeverypossibleopportunitytoconnectwitheachother.Thejoyfulwaitanticipatingthearrivalofthenextmessageontheirphonesandthesparklingfeelingofwritingthenextmessagetobesent,keptthembusythewholeday.By the time night fell andRupaliwas about to sleep,Arjunwas in a reception. She had bid him

goodnight.Butsleepwasmilesawayfromher.Somewhere,somethinghadchangeddeepinsideher.Itwasanunusualfeeling;shehadneverfeltthisway.Shehadnevermissedsomeonelikethis,notevenherfamilywhenshehadboardedthetraininPatnatocometoDelhi.Overthepastfewdays,hadshedevelopedfeelingsforArjun?shethoughttoherself.Shyingawayfromacceptingitshestartedlooking

forfactstodenyit.Shefoundnone.Sherecalledhow,earlierintheday,afriendofhershadcaughtherblushingandsmilingtoherself

whenshehadcomeoutofthetrialroomtoshowhertheoutfit.Rupalihadbeenlostinherthoughts.Foramoment shehadn’teven realized thather friendhadbeenasking forheradviceon thedress.Howembarrassedshehadbeentoknowthatshehadbeencaughtlostinsomeone’sthoughts!HerinteractionswithArjunhadbeenlimitedtocandidlysharingthethoughtsinhermind,basedon

rationale.Sincewhenhadthisbecomeamatterof theheart?Shewonderedandimmediatelyrejectedherownpoint.Thenwhy, for the entireday, had shebehavedas if shehadbeen addicted toArjun?Whenhewasn’ttherenearher,whyhadshetriedtofillinthatvoidbyexchanginguncountableSMSes?Hermindandherheartwereinconflict,shethought.Butthetruthwasdifferent.Theywerenot.Theywereinagreement.Bothpointingtothesamething,thoughinadifferentway.Shemightnotbelieveit.Butthatdidn’tchangethetruth.Andperhaps,forthefirsttime,Rupalihadbecomeirrational.Youmayfoolothers,butitisdifficulttofoolyourself.WhenRupaliturnedonherbedandclosedher

eyes,rejectingallthehypothesesoftherebeinganythingbetweenArjunandher,shecouldnotcontrolhersubconsciousmind. Itwasagain thinkingaboutArjun. It feltnice to thinkabouthim, to imaginehiminhiskurtaandapairof jeans.Therewasaticklingsensation,asecret joy,of imaginingherselfwithArjunthatledtoasmileonherface.Themomentherconsciousmindlearntaboutthethoughtsofhersubconsciousmind,shegotupin

herbedand,inplayfulanger,shepunchedhercushionseveraltimes.Shesatcross-leggedandheldherhandsoverherforehead.‘Why?WhyamInotabletothinkaboutsomethingelse?WhyamInotabletosleep?’shetalkedto

herself.Herproblemwasnotthatshedidn’tknowtheanswer.Herproblemwasthatshewasnotreadytoacceptit.Whenthenightwouldendandthesunwouldriseagain,shewasstillnotgoingtomeetArjun.He

wasgoingtobeinKarnalforonemoreday.Rupalirealizedwithmixedemotionsthatshewasonlyatthehalfwaymarkandthatshewouldhavetowaitforanotherfulldaybeforeshecouldseehimagain.‘Afterawholeday!Just like thatday!Suddenlyhowdifficult ithasbecometopass thirty-oddhourswithouthim,’shethought.Thesadnessofwaitingforyetanotherdayovershadowedthehappinessofhavingalreadypassedanentireday.Faraway fromRupali,Arjunwasstill at the reception.Hisentiredayhadbeen fullofunplanned,

impromptu,last-minutechoresandhehadintermittentlybumpedintodistantrelatives.Hedancedwhenhewasforcedtodance.Hedrovewhenhewasaskedtodrivehiscousinstothebeautyparlour.Frommonitoringthecateringguystohelpingtheflowermaninstaltheentrancegate,hehaddoneahellofalotofwork.ButallthiswhilehehadbeenconstantlyintouchwithRupali.Thecheerfulsmilethathehadbeencarryingthewholedaywasnotduetothespiritofthewedding.ItwasduetohimbeinginconstanttouchwithRupali.Herfrequentmessageskepthimmovingandhelpedhimaccomplishthingsonebyoneatthewedding.Lateinthenight,whenhiscousinsandtheirfriendshadforcedhimtodrinkafewpegs,forthefirst

timeArjunseriouslyfiguredoutwhathisheartwanted.Hedidn’tannounceittohisrelativesanddistantfriends. But alcohol had made it evident on his face. They had all seen him continuously textingsomeonetheentireday.Inanatmospheresuffusedwithmusic,danceandalcohol,thejoyoftheheartoftencomesoutintheopen.ButforArjun,morethananything,thatwasthemomentofself-discovery.Withhismindstillundertheinfluenceofalcohol,itwashisheartalonethatwastalkingtohim.Andheunderstoodwhatitwanted.Laterthatnight,abouthundredkilometresawayfromRupali,adrunkArjunmadeuphismindtotell

herwhathehadbeenfeelingabouthersincemorningand,moreso, in thepast fewhours.Hedidn’t

intend to propose to her, but justwanted to let her know.Hedidn’twant anything in return but justwantedtobehonest.Hetypedanddeletedthetextmessageafewtimesandthenfinallystucktowhathehadtypedattheveryfirstgo.Then,asecondbeforehecouldsendhisSMS,hisphonebatterydied.

ItisthedawnofDecember.Thedarknessatthistimeofthedayisquitepleasant.Rupaliisstandingatthe entrance of the rooftop of her hostel block,where the cemented five-storey-high staircase finallyends.It’scoldthere.Sheiscontinuouslyrubbingherpalmsandoccasionallyblowingonherfingerstokeepthemwarm.Sheisshivering.Sheistryingtokeepherselfwarmintheshawlthatshehaswrappedaroundherself.Herhandsarenumbandherteetharechattering.It’snotonlythedipinthetemperaturethatismakinghertremblelikethis.Ithastodowiththereasonsheishere.At theentrance, she lookshereand there.Faraway fromher, ineverydirection, sheseesglowing

streetlights. It’speacefuleverywhere.A fewcommercialestablishmentshave left theirbillboard lightsturnedon.At timesRupalicanseeafewmovinglights—thetaxisandlorriesmovingontheroadsofDelhi. But she can’t hear the noise of the traffic. They are far away from her. The only sound thatpersistsisthesoundofthenight.Up above her, the dark sky looks beautiful. Themoon continues to glow, just like it did the night

before;butitspositionintheskyhaschangedbynow.Similaristhecasewiththeconstellationoftheseven stars.Allofa sudden,abat swingsoverherhead.Shepullsherselfback reflexively.Thenextmoment,whensherecoversherposition,sheisn’tabletotracethebat.It’sgone.Sheisscaredtobehereinthisisolatedplace.Butsheisovercomingherfearsandgoingahead.She

islookinghereandthereinsearchofsomething;orrathersomeone.Thebadlyilluminatedrooftopismakingitdifficultforher.Somesecondspass.Shestillhasn’tfoundtheoneshehasbeenlookingfor.She isgetting impatient.Shewants toshoutout thename,but fears thatsomeoneelsewillhearher;besides,shedoubtsifinherterribleconditionshewouldbeabletoshout.Herteethcontinuetochatter.Sheknowswhatexactly ishappening toher. It is somesortofanxietyattack;an intenseone.Her

heartispoundingfast.Sheneedstocalmdownbutinthismoment,sheislosinghercontroloverherbody.Her body is experiencing goosebumps; one after another in tandem. In tandem they lead to aticklingsensation.Unabletowaitanymore,sheslidesherhandintothepocketofthepyjamassheiswearing.Shetakes

outhermobileanddialsthelastcallthatshehadreceivedonherphoneacoupleofminutesback.Sheisbreathingheavily.Shesomehowmanagestospeak,‘Wh...where...Whereareyou?’Thevoiceinherearssays,‘Behindyou.’Rupali immediately turns around. Just underneath the giantwater storage tank, she sees the faint

lightofamobilephone.It’shim!It’sArjun!HerArjun!Hehadcomeback.Hewasn’tlyingwhen,momentsback,hehadwokenherfromhersleepandasked

hertocometotherooftop.Oh!MyGod!Hewasn’tlying...heisactuallyhereforme!Rupalithinkstoherself.‘Arjun!’sheshoutshisname.Sheisn’tscaredanymore.Apartofherwantstorushtohim.Theotherpartisstilltryingtogeta

holdofherphysicalsituation.Arjundoesn’tsayanything.Hehassimplywalkedafewstepsaheadintothefaintlylitportionofthe

terraceandopenshisarms.Ashecontinuestostandtherehiseyesarestucklikegluetoher.Thereisasenseofsatisfactioninthem;thesatisfactionofseeingRupaliaftersomanyhours.Beep!!Beep!!Rupaliwalksslowlytowardshim.Andthensheincreasesherpace,butstopsjustabouttwometres

ahead of Arjun. Under the dim light of that yellow bulb installed over the water tank, she can seeArjun’sfacenow.Heissmiling.‘Arjun,’shecallshisnameagain—thistimewithimmensepassion.When,withanodArjunsignalshertocomeintohisarms,Rupalican’tstopherself.Sherunstocover

thatdistancebetweenthem.

Theshawlthatshehadbeenwearinghasslippeddownfromherbody.Instead,Arjunhaswrappedherinhisarms.Herheadrestsonhisshoulder,whileshelocksherarmsaffectionatelyaroundhim.Hereyesareclosed.Shedoesn’twanttoseeanythingbutjustfeelArjun.Hesensesherquiveringbody.Herubsherbackandtriestocalmherdown.Rupalibelievesthatshewon’tbeabletoholdherselfback.Sheisgoingtocry.Ithasbeensuchalovelysurprise.Beep!!Beep!!‘I am here! I am here!’ Arjunwhispers in her ears as he continues to offer her themuch-needed

warmth.AtearrollsdownherrighteyeandfallsonArjun’skurta.Hershakingbodygraduallycalmsdown.

ShehastightenedhergriparoundArjun.Withherearoverhischest,sherealizesshecanlistentohisheartbeat.ThesmellofArjun’sbodysoakedinthefragranceofthecologneheiswearingmesmerizesher.Sherealizesthatsheisinaman’sarms.Beep!!Beep!!Noonesaysanything.Thereisnoneedto.Underneathanopendarkskyonasilentcoldrooftop,itis

amagicalexperienceforthem.Itisabeautifulmoment.Theywanttoliveittothefullest.Theywanttoliveitforlong.Thewarmthoftheirbodieslockedinanembracecomfortstheminthecold.Beep!!Beep!!Beep!!Beep!!WhenRupalifinallyopenshereyes,sheseesoverArjun’sshoulderashadowagainstthehorizon.The

colouroftheskyinthatdirectionistransformingfromblacktored.Itmustbetheeast.Thesunisabouttorise.Abrandnewdayisabouttobegin.Beep!!Beep!!Beep!!Beep!!Beep!!Beep!!Then,allofasudden,Rupaliwakesuptothehorriblesoundofthealarmsetonherphone.

Eighteen

Itmusthavebeensomewherearound4intheeveningwhenhepulleddownthestandofhisbike.Aheadofthemwasavastpieceofflatland,theperipheryofwhichwasmarkedbyabarbwire,afew

feet high, that ran fromone vertical pole to another.Being amassive patch of unoccupied land, theplacewasabitwindy.Itwasacloudydayanditfeltasif itmusthaverainedatanearbyplace.TheDecemberairthatwasalreadycold,wasmoisture-ladenaswell.Astheytookofftheirhelmets,thecoolbreezeblewontheirfaces,refreshingthemthoroughly.They

restedtheirbacksagainsttheseatofthetiltedbike.Rupalifeltnice.Sheclosedhereyesandstretchedherneckupwardstofeelmoreofthebreezeonher

face.Theairsmelledofwetearth.Arjunlookedintothemirrorofhisbikeandranhisfingersthroughhishairruffledbythehelmet.Behind the two of them, the traffic continued to zip past on the busy Delhi–Gurgaon National

Highwayno.8.Therewerehundredsofcarsandothervehiclesontheroadatanypointoftime.Thecombinednoiseoftheenginesoftherunningvehiclesandthatoftheirtyrespressingagainsttheroad,onthemulti-lanehighwaywasquiteloud.Itwasaconstantnoisethathaddrownedeveryothersoundinthevicinity.Thentherewasapiercingwhistlefollowedbyasoundjustlikethatofthunderingcloudsinthesky.Evenbeforeturningbackandlookingatit,Rupalicouldmakeoutwhatitwas.Thrilled,shelooked

upimmediately.‘Ohwow!Thereitis!’shesaid,pointingtowardsthesky.Itwasanaircraft justabove thehighway,whichwasabout to landandwas flying towardsher. Its

rumblegrewinamatterofseconds.‘Wow!’Rupaliexclaimedjoyfully.Hermouthwasagapeanditdidn’tclosetilltheplanehadcome

quiteclosetoher.Then,withinasplitsecond,theplaneflewrightaboveher.From that distance, even thewheels of the planewere clearly visible. Rupali could see the exact

positionoftheflashinglightonthewings.Toobservethataerodynamicbody,whichappearedsobigfromsoclose,flyingoverher,wasatreattohereyes.Itsnoiselevelsbegantogodown.‘Didyouseethat?’sheaskedinsheerexcitement.Hereyesfollowedtheplanetillitreleasedahuge

burstofairthemomentitswheelstouchedtheairstrip.Watchingthejoyonherface,Arjunsaid,‘Thatwasamazing!’‘Seriously,youlikedittoo?’Rupaliaskedexcitedly.Shethoughtitwastoochildishforsomeonelike

Arjun.‘Likedit?Ilovedit!’Arjunlaughed.HewasgladthathehadbeenabletomakeRupalihappy.‘See,Itoldyounaa...’Rupalisaidproudlyandlookedbackattheairstripwheretheplanewas.ItwasforthefirsttimeintheentiredaythatRupalihadenjoyedsomethingbeyondthethoughtsof

Arjun.Eversinceshehadwokenuptothatdreamofbeinginhisarmsontherooftop,shecouldsleepno further. Thoughts of Arjun did not let her sleep again. Even though it was just a dream, it hadchangedtheentiremeaningofherassociationwithArjun.Ithadshownherwhattillthenshehadbeendenyingtoherself.Shekept tossingand turning inbed, recalling thatdreamagainandagain.Therewassomesortof

secret pleasure that she derived every time she recollectedwhat she had seen. Step by step, slowly,everythinginsequence,justthewayithadhappenedinthatdream.Shehadsavouredeverybitofit.Howsensuousitwasforhertorelivethatembraceeverytime,forjustonemoretime.Everytimeshe

did so, she felt Arjun’s hands over her back. Shewanted to touch herself exactly whereArjun had

touchedher.Sheimaginedthemasculinescentofhiscologneandthesmellofhisbody.Shehadtakenadeepbreathbelievingthatshewasinhalingit.Howshehadwishedtosleepagain,hopingthatthedreamcouldproceedfromwhereithadstopped.

Shehadwantedtogethypnotizedandletthedrugofthatdreamcompletelytakeoverherandtransporthertoadistantworld,wheretherooftopofherhostelblockhadbecomethebestplacetobe.Butthensleephadbeenmilesawayfromher.There hadbeenmomentswhen shewas embarrassed about thinking thatway.Andwhen that had

happened, she had pulled up her blanket over her head. She continued to have mixed feelings—sometimes she couldn’t stop herself from thinking about it and sometimes she wanted to hide herthoughtsfromherownself.‘Haveyoueversatinoneofthem?’Arjunasked,pointingtotheplanethathadjustlanded.‘Notyet,’RupalirepliedandlookedatArjun.‘ButsomedayIwill.Ihavethisdreamoftakingmy

familyonaEurotrip,’shesaidandhereyestwinkled.They were now talking about dreams; exactly what Rupali had suggested the other day over the

phone—I want to see planes landing and talk about our dreams. ‘How easily the two things hadhappened!’Arjunmarvelled.‘Youmeanyourhusbandandyourkids!’Arjunasked.Thistimehewasn’tlookingatherbutatthe

taxiingplane.Rupaliimmediatelyresponded,‘No,no.Imeantmyparentsandmyyoungerbrother!’blushingshyly.‘Oh!Soyouplantoleaveyourhusbandandkidsbackandonlyflyyourparentsandbrother?’RupalifinallytookthehintaboutwhatwascookinginArjun’smind.Shepretendedtobeangry.‘Arjun,whyareyouaskingmeallthis?’shewidenedhereyesandgavehimthelookthatmeant—

changethetopic!ButArjunwasinnomoodtoletgo.‘Oh,comeon!Assumingyouwouldgetmarriedinthefuture...

so,thenyourfamilywillalsoincludeyourhusbandandyourkids.RightMissRupaliSinha?’heasked.‘Hello!MrArjunTyagi.Iwastalkingaboutthenearfuture.AfterIgetajobformyself!Nowwill

youchangethetopic?’sheclarifiedbutinaplayfullyaggressivetone.Arjunenjoyedteasingher.Butseeingherirritation,thistimeheletitgo.‘Okay,okay.Igotit.Relax

now.’Afterafewseconds,hethoughtofsomethingandagainasked,‘Butinyournot-so-nearfuture,will

youtakeyourhusbandandkidsonaholiday?’‘Hey Bhagwaan!’ Rupali exclaimed, slapping her hand on her forehead. ‘You are enjoying this.

Aren’tyou?’‘Whyareyoudodgingmyquestion?’heaccused.‘Iamnot!’Rupalireactedfuriously.‘Thenyouaretooshytodiscussthat.Haina?’Rupalinowkickedthegroundwithherfoot.Shecouldnotdecidewhattosay,sosheturnedbackto

facetheairportwithherarmsacrossherchest,annoyedbythislineofquestioning.Behindher,Arjunlaughed.Hewasenjoyingteasingher.ItwasnotthatRupalihatedtheconversation.Shehadclearlypickedupthehintandsheverywell

knew thepossibilities ofwhere that conversation could take them.Being a girl, sheknewhowguysmakeadvances,whena light-heartedcandidchat takesa turn towardsmoreserious talk.But thensomanythoughtswererunninginhermindthatshefeltirritatedandconfused.ShefearedwhatwouldhappenifwhatshehadbeenthinkingaboutArjun’sultimateintentionswas

actuallytrue.EventhoughshesecretlywishedArjunwouldtalktoherabouthisfeelingsforher,shefeltshewasn’tpreparedtohandlethatconversation.Notatthatmoment.On the other hand, she feared what would happen if she was completely wrong about Arjun’s

intentionsbehindinitiatingthatdiscussion.Willhesaythat?Doesheeventhinkaboutmeinthatway?It’s I who dreamt about him and not he. But then for the past two days he has beenmessagingmeendlessly.Doesn’tthatmeanhehasmissedme,justthewayIhadmissedhim?Shethoughtoftoomanythingsatthesametime.Herdifficultywasthathalfofherthoughtswerein

contrast to the other half. But then, to her relief, no one could gaugewhat shewas so absorbed inthinkingabout.Another plane descended in the sky behind them. It bought Rupali some time to momentarily

disconnectherselffromthechaosofhermind.Shelookedbackandupatthesky.Shewantedtoseethelandinggearbeingdeployedandthewheelscomingout.Butfromwhereshecouldtracetheplane,shewasdisappointedtofindthatitwasalreadynearlanding.Thelandingsequencewasexactlythesameasitwaswiththepreviousplane.AndsowereRupali’s

actionsof following theaircraft. Just thatquiteabitofherexcitementwasmissing this time.By thetimetheaircraftlandedandwastaxiing,Rupalihadgonebacktoherpreviousthoughts.Aftergoingoverherthoughtsagainandagain,sherealizedthatitwasgoingtobedifficultforherto

keepwhatshehadbeenfeelingaboutArjunonlytoherself.Suchthoughtsweretakingawayherpeaceofmind.Soshedecidedwhatshewasgoingtodo.Shemadeuphermindtospeakherheartout.‘WhywouldItakemyhusbandonaholiday?Ratherheshouldtakemena,’shespoke.Sheknewexactlywhichwaytheconversationwouldflowinafewminutesfromthereonwards.Yet

shepretendedasifshewasjustbeinghonest.Maybebecausepretendingmadethingssomucheasier.Itmadehercomfortable.Whileshesaidsoshewasunabletoholdbackhersmile;shedidn’tlookatArjunbutcontinuedto

focusonthetaxiingplane.Itkindofhelpedher.Eventhoughherearsweretunedinonhisresponse.SeeingRupalistepintotheconversationleftArjunamused.Hehadn’tsensedthatcoming—notafter

how she had reacted till a few minutes earlier. Her response became Arjun’s cue to carry on thatdiscussion.AndwhenheheardwhathehadleastexpectedfromRupali,inastateofoverexcitement,heendedupdoingsomethingthathedidn’twanttodo.‘Hmm...ofcourse!That’swhatIwoulddo!’hesaidandthenrealizedhisblunder!WhathaveIdone!Whatwouldshethink!hepanicked.Thenhetriedtocorrecthimself,‘I...Imeant

...inmycase...mywife!’Rupali was shocked and too embarrassed to acknowledge the first part of Arjun’s answer. She

pretendedshehadn’thearditandrespondednaughtily,‘Okay,sowherewillYOUtakeYOURwifeonaholiday?’ArjunwasyettorecoverfromhisblunderwhenRupalidroppedthisotherbomboverhishead.And

heconvenientlyfellintothenewpitthatRupalihadunknowinglydugforhim.Unabletozeroinononeholiday destination and caught in a strange feeling of imagining himself as a married man, hestammered,‘Where...whereveryouwantmetotake...!’Thattookthecountofblunderstotwo;bothinsuchashortspanoftime.Andthisguywasayouth

leader!Rupalifroze,likeastatue.Shedidn’tevenblinkhereyes.ShehadneverseenArjuninsuchastate.

Washeactuallynervousnowthatshehadturnedthetablesonhim?Arjunimmediatelyjumpedtorescuewhateverwasleftofhisdignity.Hestammeredagain,‘S...s..

.s...sorry!I...I...Okay...I...meantwherevershe,Imeanmy...my...wife,wouldwanttogo.Andifyoucouldadvisemeonagood...a...a...yesagoodholidaydestination...thenwhynot?That’swhatImeant.Yes!Exactly!’Thenheshutup.Hisfacehadturnedred.OnacoldDecemberevening,tinydropsofsweatappearedonhisforehead.

Suddenly,hisbodylanguagelackedconfidence.InastrangewayhestolehiseyesawayfromRupali

andlookedhereandthere;attimesattheairstripandattimesattheskybehindhim,pretendinghewaswaitingforanotherplanetoland.Whenhecouldnotdecidewhatelseheshouldsay,hesimplyputhishandinthesidepocketofhiskurtaandpulledoutthekeysofhisbike.Thenhekeptfiddlingwiththekeys.HelookedsouncomfortablethatRupaliwasabouttoburstintolaughteratanymoment.However,shesomehowmanagedtocontrolherself.AfterashortwhileoffidgetingaroundhelookedatRupaliandsaid,‘Let’sgonow.’Cladinhiskurta–jeansandhisfavourite leatherflip-flopswasasecondyearstudentwhohadlead

politicalmovementsandbroughtdownsystems in thepast.Strangeas itmaysound, thatdayhehadmade a fool of himself in front of this first year girl—the same girlwhom he had interrogated andscaredthehelloutofonherveryfirstdayoncampus.Tillthenhehadknownwhathewantedtodothatday.Tillafewminutesback,inhismindhehad

planned it all—how hewould stir the discussion, playwithwords and finally put Rupali in a spot,beforehefinallymanagedtosaywhatwasinhisheart.Inhismindhehadframedastep-by-stepprocesstobellthecat.Butthen,wheneverythingwasgoing

right,Rupalihadhijackedtheentireconversation.Onewrongmoveandhisplanswentforatoss.NomatterhowroughandtoughArjunhadbeeninhislife,whenitcametomattersoftheheart,he

wasanovice.Hewouldhavegluggeddownhalfadozenbeerpintsintwominutes,butwordsofloveseldomrosefromhisthroat.Hewasamanwhowasterribleatexpressinghisfeelings.Thelasttimehehadgatheredthecouragetospeakhisheartoutwaswhenhismindwasundertheinfluenceofalcohol.‘Arjun,’Rupali,whohadsofarbeencuriouslyobservingArjun’sstrangebehaviour,finallyspokeup.

‘AappleaseCharlieChaplin ki tarahbehave karnaband karoge?’ (Will you please stop acting likeCharlieChaplin?)Arjunobeyedandtriedtocalmdown.Thepoorguyhadthingstotellandfeelingstoshare.Yethe

handedoverthebatontoRupaliandchosetokeepquiet.Sometimes the problemwith silence is that themore it continues to prevail, themore awkward it

becomes.Andinsuchmoments,thebestwaytogoaboutitistosimplylaughatit.That’swhatRupalidid.UnderstandingArjun’sstateofmindandhisrecentlyshakenconfidence,Rupaliwasthefirstoneto

laugh.Arjunknewthatshewaslaughingathim.Hefeltanurgetojoininherlaughter,forthatwouldmeanfacinguptotheembarrassment.Thatwayit’sfareasiertodealwithembarrassmentthantoshyawayfromit.Helaughedforthesheerfunofit.Helaughedinordertolethisinhibitionsevaporateinthatmomentoffun.TogethertheylaughedforthefoolArjunhadmadeofhimself.Andthemoretheythoughtaboutthe

whole episode, themore intense their laughter became. Theywere soon holding their stomachs andlaughing.Amidst their laughter, one more plane was on its way to land. The two of them could only

acknowledgeitsarrivalbutunlikeonthepreviousoccasions, theydidn’t lookup.Theywerenot inaposition to do so.When the plane flewover their heads, theywere still holding their stomachswithbendedknees.While looking atRupali,Arjunpointedhis finger towards the sky.Rupaliwaved andslowlytheysettleddown.‘Ohboy!Welaughedliketwomadpeople.Weevenmissedthelanding!’Arjunsaid.Thengrinning,

helookedintoRupali’seyesandasked,‘Shallweleavenow?Itisgetting...’Rupaliputafingeroverherlips.‘Shh!’Shethenshookherhead.‘No,’shesaid.‘Butwhy?’inquiredArjun.‘Ihaveyettoseethewheelscomingdown.Misseditbothtimes,’sherepliedandthenadded,‘and

moreover,wehaven’tcompletedourconversationonourdreams.Havewe?’‘Wellyes,wehaven’tdonethatyet...but,’Arjunaccepted,‘...buttodayseemslikeabadday.Iam

makingafoolofmyself!’‘Badday?Butlookaround,it’ssuchabeautifulevening!’RupalipulledArjun’sleg.‘Yes,butIammixingupthings,’hearguedback.Rupalifirstsmiledandthengracefullypointedout,‘That’sbecauseperhapsyourmindandyourheart

arenotinsync.Wearetalkingaboutourdreams.Ourdreamstakebirthinourhearts.Maybeyouarenotspeakingyourheartout,butonlylettingyourminddothetalking.That’swhatisleadingtochaos.’Havingsaid that,Rupali looked farawayat thevasthorizon thathungover the longairstrip.That

changed the course and the depth of their discussion.They seemed very far away from themomentwhentheyhadbeenlaughingcrazily.Theconversationtookagraveturn.‘Whatyouaresaying is right.But theproblemwithdreamsis that itsetsexpectationsand ithurts

when theyarenotmet.Twoandahalfyearsback, Ihaddreamtofsecuringacommerceseat in thiscollege.Itneverhappened.AndIamstillfightingabattletodoawaywithreservationsinDU.Therearemanysuchbrokendreams...’Arjunwaslotmoreseriousnow.Clearly,hehadrecoveredfromhispreviousnervousness.‘True.Andequallytruemustbethefactthatmanyotherdreamswouldhavecometrueinyourlife.

Thebroaderquestionis,whenafewdreamsdonotcometrue,shouldwestopdreaming?Andifthatistrue,onedayeveryonewillstopdreamingbecausenotallourdreamswillcometrue.Instead,whynotbe optimistic and take encouragement from those that have come true andwish otherswill follow?’Rupalipointedout.ForamomentsheshiftedhergazebacktoArjunandwaitedforhimtoreply.BackedbyRupali’sencouragementArjunsharedhisview,‘Hmm...Iagree.Butcertaindreamsyou

can’tfulfilonyourown.Youneedsomeoneelsebyyoursidetomakethosedreamscometrue.’‘Thenwhat’s stoppingyou from involving that someone?Reachout to thatpersonand shareyour

dreams...’sheinsisted.‘Of course! But then what if the other person’s dream doesn’t fit in with your dream?’ Arjun

questioned.‘If,’Rupalipointedout.‘Yes—if,’ acknowledgedArjun, understanding that the probability of that unfavourable happening

wasonlyhalf.‘Then thereare twopossibilities.Youpersuadeandconvince theotherpersonoryoufail todoso.

That means there is a 75 per cent chance of your dreams coming true.’ She smiled after she’dwonderfullysummedupeverythingintoaprobabilityoutcomeofamathsquestion.Arjunrolledhiseyes,appreciatingRupali’spositivityandsaid,‘Okaymadamji.Butarewegoingto

talkonlyaboutmydreams?Whataboutyours?’HearingthatRupalifeltabitdejected.Arjunwasstilltryingtorunawayfromsharinghisfeelings.

Allherattemptstoencouragehimtodosohadn’tresultedinanything,itseemed.Therewasnopointinbeating around the bush now, Rupali realized. It was no longer exciting to play with words likehusband, wife and holidays. It appeared senseless to her to talk about what would happen in theirmarriedliveswhenallsheyearnedforwastotakethefirststep;toexpressherfeelings;toexperienceapromisingcourtshipperiodofher love life.Thepasthour’s talksandher thoughts,whichwerea lotmorestreamlinedandspecificnow,hadgivenherenoughconfidencetospeakforherself.Shemadeuphermind.Thatwasthemomentandshewasnotgoingtoplaythegameofifsandbutsanymore.Shetookadeepbreathandbegantospeakslowly,asifshewasreadingsomethingstraightfromher

heart.Andasifherheartwaslocatedsomewhereonthewesternhorizonoftheskywherethesunwasgraduallysetting.‘Mydreamsarequitesimple,Arjun...’Shepausedforamomentandthencontinued,‘Iwanttodo

well in academics, secure agood future formyself and fulfil responsibilities that I have towardsmyfamily.IwanttocontinuetostandupforthingsIbelievein.Iwishtoseehappinessaroundme.And

whileallthishappens,Iwantto...’Shestoppedagain,butonlytoresumeafterasecondortwo,‘...Iwanttoseeyoubymyside.Arjun,Iwanttolivetherestofmylifewithyou.’Andthentherewasasilencebetweenthemasthewordssunkin.Eventhoughthenoiseofthetrafficpersistedjustasbefore,itwasasiftimehadstoppedandnothing

moved.Eventhoughanotherplanelanded,neitherRupalinorArjunlookedatit.Itwasamomentthatwasabouttochangeeverythingbetweenthemforrestoftheirlives.RupaliturnedherheadandlookedrightatArjunandfinishedwhatevershehadtosaywithherfinal

line,‘That’swhatmydreamis.’Bliss hadmade its way into Arjun’s eyes as he heard those final fewwords. Rupali had already

successfullyputtoresteverybitofanxietyandpanicinhisheart.Shehadsaiditallsosimplyandwithsuchease!IthadsavedArjunfromthegreatdifficultyofovercominghisfearofexpressinghisfeelingstoagirl.AdeepsenseofsatisfactioncameoverArjun’sface.Hewasyettospeakandallthiswhilehehadbeenadmiringthegutsofthegirlwhostoodinfrontofhim.Who,onlyafewmomentsback,hadproposedtohim,somethingwhichtheworldexpectstobeaman’sjob.Butisn’tthatwhyheadmiredRupali—forhersheercouragetospeakherheart;tocallaspadeaspade;toproposetoaguywhomshebelievedsheloved.That’swhathadalwaysmadeheraspecialgirlinArjun’seyes.Itwasgoingtotakesometimefortheunimaginableamountofhappinesstosettlein.Afewseconds

oracoupleofminuteswerenotgoingtobeenoughforhim.Forthatmatter,evenaday’stimewastooless.Intheinitialmoments,themererealizationthatitwasallforrealwashardtobelieve.Yes,itwasfor

realandhewasn’tdrunk!AndsoitwasforRupali.Shewasn’tdreamingagain.Behindhercalmandcomposedfacetherewere

hopes,therewerefearsandtherewerehappybutterflies!Itwasawholenewworldofexperienceforher.Amomentshehadneverlivedbefore.Amomentshehadneverimaginedwouldunfoldthisway.‘Canmydreamsbecomeapartofyourdreams?’shepolitelyasked,tryingtocatchArjun’sattention.Hewantedtosayahundredthings,yethestruggledtosayasingleword.Hesearchedfortheright

words that could describewhat hewas feeling at that very instant.When he found none, he simplynodded,grinningfromeartoear.Hiseyescouldnotholdbacktheimmensehappinessandhadturnedwet.He swallowed the lump in thebackof his throat andwhenhe felt he could talk he said, ‘Yourdreamsareminenow!’The twohearts erupted in joy.Therewas happiness in the air.Abrand new chapter ofArjun and

Rupali’slifehadjustbegunwithArjun’sacceptance.The gradually descending sun in the faraway horizon made way for darkness. Rupali and Arjun

barely had an idea of when exactly the sunlight dimmed and their vision became obscured. Theotherwise dull-looking airstrip now glittered with blue, green, red and white lights that marked itsboundaries. The airstrip had turned into a dance floor with colourful disco lights. The view lookedpicturesqueasifwhennightfallstheentireareagetsanartisticmakeover.Asifthewholeplacewasanocturnalecosystemthatcomestolifeonlywhendarknessfalls.Thewell-litbuildingsonthefar leftmarked theairporthub thatwasnot fullyvisible,yetonecouldeasilymake themoutbecauseof thelight they were radiating. The only concrete structure clearly visible was the glass-bound air-trafficcontrolroomonatower,theshapeofwhichwaslikeagianthigh-risewatertank.Behindthem,thelineofhotelsontheDelhi–Gurgaonnationalhighway,sparkledwiththeirflashing

billboardsandrunninglights.Someofthemchangedcoloursatvariousintervals.Thestreetlightsonthehighwaywereturnedonandsowerethehigh-beamheadlightsontheracingvehicles.Betweenthesetwospaces,amidthelighteddarkness,wasanewpairoflovebirdsthatcontinuedto

perchthemselvesonthemotorbikeandtosavourthebeautyofthemoment.Therewasnoonearoundthem.They had themuch-needed privacy.Arjun hadmoved his hand overRupali’swrist and slid it

down,making space for it in her palm.The touchwas sensuous. It had triggered an adrenaline rushwithinRupali.Yetshedidn’tpullherhandback.Noonesaidanything.Rupalididn’tevenlookatArjunandlethimdowhateverwasonhismind.Shehadpartlysurrenderedherself.Itwasn’tjustthetouchofArjunwhomshehadknownfor thepast fewmonths, itwasalso the touchofamanwithwhomshewantedtolivetherestofherlife.Herheartbeatquickened.Arjun’sforefingermaderandomcirclesinsideherpalm.Ittickledher.He

openedherfingersandthenhisfingersmovedinbetweentheirgapsandheldherhandtightly.Itwasadivine union. Arjun then raised their hands, still in each other’s grip, close to his face. They werelookingintoeachother’seyes—Arjunstaringintohers.Rupali’sheartsankwhenshecouldfeelArjun’sbreathfallingonthebackofherhand.Anaircraftflewovertheirheads,makingadeafeningnoise.Thewheelscamedownrightabovetheir

heads;somethingthatRupalihadwaitedtoseeforsolong.Butwhenithappenedthistime,RupaliwaslostinlivingthatmomentwhenshefeltArjun’slipsonthebackofherhandandthenofherfingers.RupalirestedherheadonArjun’sshoulder.Thetwoofthemwatchedafewmoreplanesland.The

arrayofopenwindowshades, thewell-lit interiorsof theplane,alongwiththeflashingwingandtaillightshadmadetheairplaneallthemorespectacular.Itwasveryexcitingforthemtoseeitlandonarunwaythatwasilluminatedwithstunninglights.Attimes,justbeforetheplanemadecontactwiththeground, the exhaust of heated air from the rear of theplane created amirage-like effect,making theairstriplightsfloat,thoughonlymomentarily.Handinhand,ArjunandRupalikeptwatchingthespectacularviewforalongtime.Theyknewthat

thistimewouldnevercomeback.Thereisneveranexttimeforthefirstproposalofanyone’slife!

ItisNewYear’sEve.Thegirlsfromthehostelhavehadtheirwayandmanagedtostayouttilllateinthe night. A combination of emotional drama and gifts has worked to bribe the hostel gatekeepers.Outside,inthecity,theyarenowcelebratingNewYear’sEvetogether.ButRupali isn’twith them.Faraway fromthehustleandbustleof thecheeringcitygearingup to

welcome theNewYear, she is takinga leisurelywalkwithArjunbehind thecollegeblock.This isanisolated street, one that leads to the trees that mark the dead end of the campus in the northerndirection.Yetit’ssafe.Duringthesemestersmanyboysandafewgirlsfromtheirhostelscomeheretoboozeandfag.Beingherehasalwaysmeantbeinginthelapofnature.Onlycollegestudentshavehadaccesstothiszone.Thebeautyofthisplaceisthatitisnevercrowded,butthen,atanytimeoftheday,onecanseeafewfacesrelaxingintheirownway.But this evening isdifferent.The semesterbreak isonand there isnoonehereat this timeof the

night.Theplaceisdeadsilent.Astheywalk,ArjunandRupaligettheirmuch-neededprivacy.Toaddtoit is the layerof fog in theair thathasdimmed theeffectof thewhite streetlightsglowingoverhead.Visibilityislimitedtoafewmetres.It’slikeawhitenight.Thesoundofinsectsfarawayinthewoodsmakestheplaceabitspooky.RupalimovesasclosetoArjunaspossibletofeelsafer.It’sbeenalittlemorethantwenty-fourhourssincesheconfessedherlovetoArjun.Afterspendinga

veryspecialnighttalkingonthephoneandthenspendingawholedaytogether,thisisthefirstmomentofprivacybestowedtothembyMotherNature.Theyknowthatit’squitelateforthemtobehere.Butthey find each other’s company so addictive that they want to delay their goodbyes for as long aspossible.Theyarenotgoing toget suchmoments in isolationagain.Thevacationshavecome toanend.Thecollegewillreopeninaday’stimeand,fromthefollowingnight,thehostelwillbecrammedagainwithstudents.Arjunhasgotsomethingforher.Heslideshishandintohispocket.Rupalianxiouslywaitsforhimto

pullhishandout.It’sapendant.Aheart-shapedone.Rupali’seyesglitterlookingatit.‘Forme?’sheaskssmiling.Arjunnods.‘It’slovely,’shesayswhilerunningherfingersoveritafterwhichsheturnsherbacktowardsArjun

andliftsherhairfromoverthecollarofherjacket.Arjunacceptsherinvitationtoclaspthependantaroundherneck.Whenit’sdone,Rupaliturnsback

towardshimandlooksatherpendant.‘Thisreallylooksnice!Thankyou!’shesayswithoutlookingathim.Hiseyesaregluedtohernew

accessory.Sometimepassandtheychosetotakeawalk.Somuchhaschangedinourlivesinthissemesterbreak,’Arjunsays.Rupaliwondershowthedaysthatshehadthoughtwouldbethemostdifficulttopass,turnedoutto

bethebesttimeofherlifeoncampussofar.‘IamgladIdidn’tgohomeforthevacations,’Rupaliadmitted.Theykeepwalking.It’scolder towards the trees.Thechill in theairmakesArjunlongforRupali’s

warmth.Hewantstotouchher;holdherinhisarms.Buthealsowantstomakesurethathedoesn’tendupscaringher.Foramomenthedebateswithhimself.Heknowsitistheperfectmoment,onethatmaynotcomeagainsoon.Hedoesn’twanttowasteit.‘Itisfine,weareinlove,’heassureshimselfandthencautiouslymakeshismove.Theyhavereached

theendoftheroadandaheadofthemarethewildbushes.Theyareabouttoturnback.Rupalialsowishestogetintimate.Sherubsherhandsandhintsthatsheisfeelingcold.Twoanxiousheartsaregettingreadytodiscoverthenextstageoftheirnewlyacceptedrelationship.

Theirexcitementsoongiveswaytoburningpassion.RightatthatmomentRupalifeelsArjun’shandoverhers,tryingtoholdher.Rightatthatmomentshe

stops.Histouchisdifferenttonight.Shecanfeelit.It’sthetouchofamanwhoiscravingtoexpresshisloveinamannerthatgoesbeyondwords.Inthatcoldinsulatednight,shetoowantstoexperienceit.Withoutlookingathim,shespreadsapart

her fingers,makingway forhis fingers to intertwinewithhers. It’s a sign forArjun.All is okay.Hebeginstorubthebackofherhandwithhisthumb.His touch has accelerated her heartbeat. Instead of transforming warmth to her body, Arjun’s

physical touch has made her shiver. But then she doesn’t want to leave his hand. She enjoys thatmoment.Shewantstolivethatsensationoftremblinginhisarms.Arjunreachesoutforherotherhand.Rupalisurrendersherself.Theyarenowfacingeachother.But

sheistooshytolookupathim.Sheiswellawareofwhat’sinhismind.Arjunloosensthegripofhishands and holds her face instead. He looks into her eyes. At that moment Rupali experiences anadrenalinerush.Shecan’tfacehimandcloseshereyes.Intheblurrydepthofthatcoldwhitenight,underthelaststreetlightontheabandonedstretchofthe

roadthatleadstothewoods,hetriestolookatRupali’sface—inthegreatestpossibledetail.Asifheistryingtoremembertheshapeofherfineeyebrowsandtheslopeofhereyelashes.Asifheistryingtosaveapictureofherinhismind.Fromherchisellednosehisgazeslidesdowntoherlips.Hecanmakeoutthefragrance.He tucksa fewstrandsofherhairbehindher rightearandprepares to say something.He is still

holdingherfacebetweenthepalmsofhishands.‘Rupali...’hesays.Hisvoiceishusky.ShehearshernamepassionatelycalledoutbyArjun.ButRupaliisinnopositiontorespond.With

hereyesstillclosed,shecanmakeoutArjun’sproximitytoher.Hisbreathonherface.Shesighsinthatmomentofbliss.Herlipspartabit.Arjunisstillstaringatherface.‘...Rupali...Iloveyou.Isodo.’It’s suchbliss to listen to thesewords. Sheput her armsaroundhim.His proximity hasmadeher

numb.TheNewYearismomentsaway.Sheismomentsawayfromexperiencingthefirsteverkissofherlife.Gosh! This is happening. She knows she isn’t dreaming. It is all for real. She is present in that

moment.Andsheispreparedforit.Hebendsdowntokissher.Arjuncloseshiseyesandtheirlipsmeet.Thereisanexplosionofsenses

asArjungoesdeeperandsucksonherlowerlipasiftryingtoextractallhisshareoflovefromher.Hepullsherclosertohimself.Shetightensherarmsaroundhimandkisseshimbackwithequalpassion.Theyarenowkissingeachotherhungrilyas if theyhavewaited for thisall their lives.Thecold, thedarkness,theworldaroundthemceasestomatter.Alltheyfeeliseachother—thewetnessbetweentheirlips.Theirbreathinggetsheavier.Theirkissesgetdeeper.Andtheirsighsgetlouder.It’sadivinemoment

forthem.Theydon’tknowhowmuchtimehaspassed.Suddenly,thereisthenoiseofcrackersaroundthem.Up

abovethesheetoffog,theskyofDelhiisfulloffireworks.Themagic of the moment is temporarily broken. Theymove apart a bit but still have their arms

aroundeachother.‘Happynewyear!’ArjunsaystoasmilingRupali,andgoesbacktokissingher.

Nineteen

Afterthevacations,lifeatDUbeganwithabang.Auto-rickshawskeptupthebuzzbybustlinginandoutof thehostelcampus—similar tohowthescenehadbeenmorethantwoweeksago.Whileafewstudentshadreturnedtothecampusonthenightof1January,amajorityofthemhadchosentocomebackthenextmorning.Afew,forwhomattendingclassesonthefirstdayafteravacationwasthelastthingontheirmind,tookthelibertyofarrivingonlylateintheafternoon.Greetingsandhugswereexchangedalldayaroundthecampus.Amidstamasshostelroom-dusting

exercise,loudnoisesandscreamsintermittentlyeruptedfromvariousfloorsofthehostelblocks.Whenitcametobackslappingandjokingaround,thegirls’hostelwasnodifferentfromtheboys’.Boxesofhomemadesweetsandothereatableswerepassed fromroom to room, fromonehand to

another,beforetheyemptiedupandmadetheirwaytothetrashcans.Butthebestofthestuffwasalwayslockedintrunkstobesavouredlaterandonlywithbestfriends

afterlockingthedoor—thatwastheunsaidrule.Lateintheevening,aftertheclassesofthefirstdayofthesecondsemestergotover,Rupalirealized

that everything had gone back towhat it had been like before the vacation. From the daywhen thehostelhadlookedabandoned,withonlyafewgirlsleftbehind,totoday,thedifferencewasstark.Everywindowoneveryfloorofherhostelwas litonceagain.Soundsofmusicerupted invarious

roomsandfloatedinthecorridors.Thehostelmesswasfullagain.Noonewhohadgoneonvacationhadmissedthehostelfood.Butonceinthemess,theybegantomisstheirhome-cookedfood.However, the best part of the day forRupaliwaswhen Saloni knocked at her door. Themoment

Rupali opened the door they celebrated their reunion with screams and hugs. It was Saloni whoscreamedlouder.Shecontinuedtoholdherroommatetightly,thetwoofthemrockingineachother’sarmslikeaswingingpendulum.Whentheybothcametorest,Salonislightlypushedherbestfriendbacktolookather.‘Kaisihaitu,

merijaan?’(Howhaveyoubeen,mydarling?)Rupaliwasextremelyhappytofinallygetherroommateandbestfriendback.Shehadbeenwaiting

for her return since last evening. There was so much she had to share with her, for so much hadhappenedinherlifewhileSaloniwasaway.‘I’mfine,howwasyourtrip?’Rupaliasked.HadSaloninot left thecountryandgone toAustraliawithherfamilyforhervacations,shewould

havebeenup-to-datewithRupali’s life.But then,had thathappened, the twowouldnothave lookedforwardtohavingagirlymidnight-gossipsession.‘Oh,itwassomuchfun!IwilltellyouwhatIdid!’shesmiledandwinked.Salonithenlookedaroundattheirroom.Unlikeothergirlsinthehostel,shehadbeensparedthetask

ofdustingandarrangingherstuff.Rupalihadtakencareofit.Shewastheonewhohadkepttheroomneatandtidy.Theyspentsometimechit-chattingandrandomlygossipingaboutthingsthatwereontopofSaloni’s

mind,afterwhichRupalisuggestedthatshechangeherclothessotheycouldgoandhavetheirdinner.Saloniwasnothungryatall,butsheofferedtogiveRupalicompany.SheopenedherbagtopulloutherT-shirtandpyjamas.‘Here!Thisisforyou,’shesaidasshetossedabrownpaperbagonRupali’sbed.‘Whatisit?’Rupaliaskedasshetoreopenthepacket.‘Checkitoutyourself!’Saloniresponded,busy

tryingtofigureoutwhereshehadkeptherownclothesinsideherluggage.‘Buttherewasnoneedto...’Rupalisaid,guessingitwasagiftforher.

‘Hello!Madam!’Salonishoutedback.‘Ididn’tspendmymoneyonyou!Baapkepaisonseliyahai.Thisisallfrommydad’smoney.Sochill!’‘Whydoyoutreatyourfatherlikethat?’Rupaliexpressedconcernand,asusual,Salonididn’tbother

toanswerher.Shethenturnedherattentiontothebagandbeganpullingouttheclothesinsideit.Therewasanavy

bluesweatshirt,abottleofperfumeandtwopairsoflingerie—oneredandoneblack.Lookingat theflimsyunderwearRupaliexclaimedinshock,‘Haww!Howcouldyougetmethis!’

Shewasstaringatablack lacyG-string.She felt shyeven lookingat it, soshe immediately threwitbackintothebag.Watchingherreaction,Saloniburstoutlaughing.Shewalkeduptoherandsaid,‘Comeon!Isn’tit

sexy?’,andpulleditoutofthepaperbagagain.‘Whydon’tyoutryitonandshowme?’sheaskedasshebrandisheditinfrontofRupali.‘Icallitlackofcloth!’Rupalisaidbluntly.Saloniburstintoalaughagain.‘No,stupid,theseareinfashion.TheonesthatI’vegotforyouare

notavailableinIndia.Ektomeintereliyelekeaai.SinceIhavegotitespeciallyforyou,youwillhavetoacceptit.’Rupaliknewshewasintrouble.Herroommatehadnotyetgivenuponherpledgetotransformher

intoamodernDelhigirl.Whileshehadbeensuccessful inmovingherfromsalwarkameeztocaprisandsleevelesstops,andRupaliknewshewantedhertowearshorts,neverinherwildestimaginationhadRupalithoughtthatherroommatewouldsomedayinsistonwhatsheshouldwearinside!ButshealsoknewthatSaloniwouldnotlistentoher.Shedidn’twanttooffendherfriend,asitwasa

giftshehadboughtforher.SosheagreedtoweartheG-stringbutononecondition—thattherewasnowayshewasgoingtotryitinfrontofher;somethingSaloniwassocomfortabledoingopenlyintheirroom.Rupalismiled.‘Okay,madam,youwin!Nowlet’sgofordinnerorI’llgoofftosleep!’Post dinner, after a long leisurelywalk in the cold night, duringwhich they interactedwith a few

othergirlsfromtheirbatch,theroommateswerebackintheirroom.Salonilookedatherwatch.Itwasalmostmidnight.Shepickedupherfacewashkitandwenttothewashroom.Whenshereturned,shefreakedout,‘It’sdamncold!’Shecomplainedaboutthecoldwaterassoonas

shecamebacktotheroom.Shewasshiveringandquicklypulledouthertowelandwipedherfaceandhands.‘Haha!WelcomebacktoDelhifromawarmAustralia!’Rupalilaughed.Everythingintheroom,too,

wascold.Salonithoughtaboutgettingaroomheatertheverynextdayand,whilesayingso,shejumpedintoRupali’s bed and slipped inside her blanket. She placed her cold hands overRupali’s relativelywarmones.‘Ouch!’Rupaliscreamed.‘Mazaa aaya?’ Saloni laughed, asking if Rupali had enjoyed her cold touch. She didn’t wait for

Rupalitoreactandasked,‘Sotellme,what’sgoingon?’‘Whatdoyoumeanwhat’sgoingon?’Rupaliresponded.‘What’sthereasonforthisbeautifulglowonyourface,sweetheart?’sheasked.ForamomentRupalibecameveryconscious,eventhoughshehadalreadyplannedtotelleverything

toSaloni.‘Youarethereason.Youhavecomebacknow,na!’Rupalireasoned.InsidetheirblanketSaloniimmediatelytappedRupali’shandandsaid,‘Givethisbullshittosomeone

else,okay!’Salonismiledwithconfidence.Shehadguessedit.Somethingwasdefinitelygoingon!‘What?’Rupaliattemptedaweakdefence.‘Achha!WithwhomwereyouexchangingSMSeswhileIwastalkingtomybasketballteamfriends

outsidethemess?Haan?Nowtellme,what’sgoingon!’‘Oh,comeon!Iwastalkingtomyfamily,’Rupalilied.SalonicouldmakethatoutasRupaliavoided

lookingintohereyes.‘Really?Thenletmecheckyourcell...’sayingthat,SalonistretchedherarmoverRupali’sbodyto

reachoutforherphoneonthetable.‘No.Please.No!’Rupalishoutedandjumpedatoncetosecureherphone.There!Shehadsaiditallwithoutsayinganything!Withnoiotaofdoubt inhermind,Saloni laughedslowly,‘Hey. . .hey . . .Betey!Sabsamajhaa

rahahaimujhe...hey...hey.’Shetookhertimetomakeuseoftheopportunitytoseeherroommateembarrassedatbeingcaughtred-handed.And Rupali, who all this while had been waiting for the perfect opportunity to share what had

happened in her life, never got a chance to do it the right way. She was all prepared to tell herroommate.But thewaySalonibluntlyput things togetherandconfrontedRupali, itmadeherchangehermind.Unlike Saloni’s nth crush, thiswasRupali’s first. And it was special. And shewanted torevealitintherightway.Butevenbeforeshecouldspeakherheart,herroommatehadguesseditandridiculedher.Eventhoughitwasinaplayfulmanner,itannoyedher.When Rupali tried to speak again, she looked at Saloni, who mischievously kept raising her

eyebrows,waitingforhertospeakup.Herhesitationhadstoppedherfromspeaking.Salonibegangrinning. ‘Comeon!Tellmewhatallhappenedwithyou inmyabsence. Icansmell

love!’shesaid,winking.Rupaliblushed.‘Okay,’shesaid.Suddenly,Salonijumpedoutofthebed,switchedoffthelights,jumpedbackin,grabbedapillowto

placebetweenherlegsandsaid,‘Yes!Nowtellme,quickly!’

Twenty

Withthestartofthesecondsemester,campuspoliticsbecamethepriorityagain.Therehadbeenacaseofviolencereportedinwhichafewstudentsfromthestudents’unioninpowerhadclashedwithanothergroupofstudents.Thefighthaderuptedduetotheallegedharassmentofagirloutsidethecampusbysomeonewhowasanactivememberofthestudents’union.TwooftheboysfromtheothergroupwerereportedlyadmittedtotheICU.Whenthepolicehadbookedafewmembersofthestudents’union,therestof theunionhadcalledastrike ina fewcollegesasking thevice-chancellor to interveneandgetthemout.Eventhoughmajorityofthestudentswerenotinfavourofit,theyallweresilenced.Rumoursalso alleged that a nexus of drug traffickers was flourishing in the university and that they had thebackingofthemembersofthestudents’union.Thisbroughttolightquestionsabouthowtheunionwasspendingitsfunds.Ademandwasalsoraisedtobringinmoretransparencyinthis.Itappearedthatthepartythathadcometopowerhadlongforgottenthepromisesithadmadeinits

manifestobeforetheelections.Withinthestudents’unionitselfthereweredifferencesoverhowafewrepresentativeshadbeguntoactselfishlytofurthertheirpoliticalambitions.Drunkonpowerandfullofarrogance, theyhaddreamsof joiningactive stateandcentralpoliticsas soonas theysteppedoutofuniversity.Unwillingnesstoshareaccountabilityhadledtoblamegames.Everyonepassedthebuck.Theprimereasonbehindthemessinthestudents’unionwastheabsenceofitsgodfather,Mahajan—

theaccountsprofessorwhowasnowbehindbars.Hewastheonewhohadthestrongestinfluenceontheunion,therebymaintainingafinebalancebetweenallthestakeholders.Theelectedrepresentativesusedtofearhimand,therefore,obeyhim.Theylookeduptohimtogetthenecessaryapprovalsfromhigherauthoritieswhereverhis influencewas required.Hewas their liaisonbetween thecampusandnationalpolitics.Not thatunderMahajan’swatch illicit thingsneverhappened.Theydidprevail,butthenhehadbroughtamethodtothemadness.InMahajan’sabsence,afewmembersintheunionfoughtamongthemselvestoretainpower.Andwhenthathappened,theriftwasoutintheopen.Slowly,theunionbegantofallapart.Theyouthwingin-chargeoftheparentpartyattheDelhistate

andnationallevel,too,felttheheat.Mahajan’sabsencehadcreatedavoidbetweenthem.Ifthestatusquopersisted,itwouldbeimpossibleforthepartytowinthenextDUelectionsthatweresupposedtocommenceafterthenextbatcharrived.Withonesemesterleftinhand,thestudents’unionbadlyneededtorepairitselfanddeliveronitspromises.Butthiswasalsothetimewhenotherpartieswereplanningtogetthestudents’supportandraisetheir

voicesagainstthemenaceofthepartyinpower.‘Sowhatarewegoingtodonow?’Prosonjeetasked.ThiswasaSundaymorningmeetingwhenthe

keypartymembershadassembledontherooftopofthecollegeblock.Itwasacasualmeetingthathadbeencalledtokick-starttheplanningofthepartystrategyforthatsemester.Havinglostanelectioninthecurrent season, thememberswereeyeing todo things in adifferentwayand lookingat thenextseason’selection.‘Weneed tobringawareness.Let’s remindpeopleaboutwhatwaspromised to themandwhathas

beendelivered.Worse,howdrunkonthepowerofauthority,thecurrentstudents’unionisrunningthepoliticalgameasifitisit’smonopoly.Wewillinvolvestudentsfromvariouscollegesandfacultiesandaskquestionstotheunion,’Arjunpointedout.Akeymember,whointhepreviousseasonhadfoughttheelectionforthepostofpresidentandlost,

hadexpressedhiswishtooptoutoffightingityetagain.ThereweremurmursamongthemembersthatArjun should fill in that gap and fight the election for the post of president.Hismaturity to handlethingsandtakedecisionshadearnedhimtheparty’sconfidence.Tillthepreviousyear,hehadbeena

strongvolunteerfortheirparty.‘Andhowdowedothat?’someoneinthegatheringasked.‘Wewillleveragethepowerofsocialmedia,’Rupalipitchedin.Rupali’smeteoricrisetofameintheprevioussemesterinthewholeofDUforhercourageandher

selflessdeterminationtodowhat’srighthadcatapultedherintostudents’politics.Inthecourseoftime,shelearntthatinordertobringachange,itwasimportanttostepinandbecomeapartofthesystem.HersixmonthsinDUmadeherrealizethis.Sherealizedtheimportanceofpoliticsandtheresultsitcandeliveriftherightpeoplestepin.Thisishowsomeonewhoabhorredtheideaofpoliticsbecamepropolitics.WhenArjunandothermembersofhispartyinvitedhertojointhem,shehappilyacceptedtheinvitation. But she was clear that she was not going to fight the elections. She wanted to use theplatformtofulfilhersocialresponsibilities.Soshewasthereinthepartynow.Shecontinued,‘Mahajanwent to jailprimarilybecausethevideoofhisshamefulactwentviral. It

hadtriggeredthesentimentsofthemassesinawaythatwecouldn’teverhaveimagined.Ithadmadethe students raise their voiceson social forums, something they feared todo in theopen.Weall arepresent onvariousonline forums. Ifwe canuse theseonline social circlesbeyond theboundariesofnetworkingforfunandchannelizethemtorunourcampaignswewillbeabletoachievealot!’This plan was different from the stereotypical speeches, pamphlets and bannersmode of election

preparation. Rupali’s focus was to push the digital and social mode of strategy-making. Peopleacknowledged Rupali’s point of view.Most of them agreed, while a few had their reservations, onwhichArjunwantedtoholdahealthydebate.Theydidaquickanalysisofthestrengthsandweaknessesofthepowerofonlinesocialmediacampaigns.Itturnedoutthattheproswerelotmorethanthecons.Everyonewasof theviewthatbecause theyhadanentiresemester’s timeinhand, theymustat leastexperimentwiththeidea.ArjuninvitedMadhabtohelpthemcomeupwitharoughideaofwhatcouldpossibly be done. Taking a cue fromMadhab’s suggestions the team brainstormed. Frommaking aFacebookpageinthenameoftheirpartytomakingreal-timevideosaboutthegrass-rootproblemsinDUanduploadingthemonYouTube,therewerevarioussuchoptionsathand.Themoretheyideated,themorepossibilitiestheysaw.Before themembers dispersed, roles and responsibilitieswere distributed. From generic thoughts,

theywantedtoarriveatspecificbullet-pointactions.Peopleundertookthetaskofdoingmoreresearchontheirspecificareasofactionbeforetheyplannedtomeetagainduringthesameweek.Afterthemeetingended,RupalihadplanstopayavisittoArjun’smother.Thepreviousday,when

shehadexpressedherurgetoeathome-cookedfood,Arjunhadaskedhertovisithishome.‘YoucanmeetMaaswell.Infact,wecanhavelunchtogether.’Rupali had double-checked thatArjun had reallymeant it, afterwhich she had happily agreed. It

didn’tmakeherfeelconcernedthatshewasgoingtomeetthemotheroftheguywhomshewasnowina relationship with! Arjun, too, made it sound casual. In the past, he had invited various friends,includinggirls,tohisplaceandtheyhadeatenfoodcookedbyhismother.Itwasquiteregularforhim.OnoneoccasionevenRaheema,whotreatedArjunlikeherbrother,hadvisitedhisplace.Rupali satbesideArjun inhis jeep.MadhabandProsonjeet jumpedon to thebackseat.Theyhad

askedArjuntodropthematthenearestmetrostation.Thetwoofthemhadplanstowatchamatineeshow. They had insisted Arjun and Rupali to join them, but Rupali excused herself saying that shewouldpreferhome-cookedfoodtoamovie.‘Youwilldropmebackatthehostel,right?’sheaskedArjunassoonashestartedtheengine.‘Yes,’Arjunsaid,lookingather.‘Willittakeusmorethananhourtoreachyourhome?’‘TrafficonSundayisquiteless.Weshouldnottakemorethanfortyminutes,’Arjunreplied.‘Andwhattimewillyoudropmeback?’Rupaliagainquestioned.

ThistimesheheardMadhabandProsonjeetgigglingbehindthem.Sheturnedbacktoaskthemwhatwas thematter.Theyfirstdenied that theyhadbeengiggling,butcouldnothold their laughterwhentheylookedateachother.‘What?’Rupaliaskedoutofcuriosity.Shecouldmakeoutthattheywerehidingsomethingfromher.

SoshelookedatArjun,hopingthathewouldhelpherunderstandwhatshehadmissed.‘Six months back when they had been sitting on the back seat of this jeep, they had seen me

interrogatingyou.Todaytheyareseeingyouinterrogateme!Andthat’swhytheseidiotsareenjoying!’Arjunsaidfocusingontheroadaheadofhim.That statement immediately tookRupali to the past. For the first time she realized that about six

monthsback,inherfirstweekofcollege,thetwoguyswhohadsatonthatseatinthatveryjeep,whenshehadbeenplantingthesapling,wereProsonjeetandMadhab.AndallshehadrememberedwasthebeardedfaceofArjun.

Twenty-One

Sometimelater,afterhavingdroppedoffthetwofriends,Arjunparkedthevehicleneartheentranceofhishouse.Rupaliwaseagertomeethismother.Shesteppedoutofthejeep,andunlockedthemaingateandwalkedin.‘Hey!Waitformetocome!Guessthisismyhouse!’Arjunyelledfrombehindher.Rupaliimmediatelystopped.Sheturnedbackandsmiled.ThenshewaitedattheporchforArjunto

joinher.Theentrancedoorwasopen.Arjun stepped insideandcalled forhismother.Rupali followedhim

inside the drawing-cum-dining room. Itwas neat and tidy. It had everything amiddle-class drawingroomcomprisedof.Asofasetononeendandadiningtableontheother,curtainsonthewindowsandshowpiecesontheshelvesofaglasscupboard.‘Come,’ArjunaskedRupalitofollowhim.Arjun escorted her to a bedroom where his mother sat on the bed busy cutting vegetables and

watchingasoapontelevision.‘Namasteaunty,’Rupaligreetedherandtouchedherfeet.‘Areybasbas...Jitirahobeta!’Arjun’s

motherblessedher.For the next fewminutesArjunwas quiet,watching the two ladies interact and get to knoweach

other.TheytalkedandsoonhismotherwasaskingRupaliallsortsofquestions,aboutherfamily,hometownetc.,whichRupaliansweredpatiently.Arjun’smotherdidn’tforgettomentionandpraiseRupali’scourageintheMahajancaseaboutwhich

she had come to know about a few months back from her son. Rupali felt happy that she hadremembered.Arjuntoowashappilysurprised.The television was still on in the background. Arjun picked up the remote and pressed themute

button.Thatsuddenlyturnedeveryone’sattentiontowhatwasplayingonthescreen.RupalinotedthatevenhermotherwatchesthatparticularserialwhichArjun’smotherhadbeenwatching.ThismadehertalkaboutafewmoreTVserialsandshehappilyrecalledthenamesshehadheardfromhermother.Arjungotupandwasabouttowalkoutoftheroomwhenhismotheraskedwherehewasgoing.‘Ineedtogetsomepartybannersmade,Ma.Youtwohaveagoodtime,’hesaidandleft.Hismothershoutedandaskedwhenhewouldreturn, towhichheshoutedhisreplyfromthemain

gate—hewouldcomebackinanhourorso.OnceArjunhadleft,hismotherclaspedherhandtoherforeheadandexpressedherdisappointment

whenshesaid,‘All the timetheonlythingheisbotheredabout ishispartywork.SometimesIcan’tunderstandwhetherhejoinedcollegetostudyortobecomeapolitician!’Rupalismiledasshelistenedtoamother’sinnocentconcerns.ShethoughtRupalitoowasworried

aboutArjun,likeher.ButsherealizedshewaswrongwhensheheardwhatRupalihadtosay,‘Aunty,todaythecountry,likeneverbefore,needspoliticianslikeyourson.Arjunisdoingtherightthing.’ForArjun’smother, itwasn’t new to listen toArjun’s friends praising him for the choices he had

madeinhislife.Timeandagain,variousfriendsandpartyvolunteerswhohadvisitedthehouseinthepast,hadtalkedaboutArjun’sabilityandhishonestyinthearenaofcampuspolitics.Butthenshewasamotherwhohadn’tkeptuppacewiththechangingtimes.Inhermind,shestill

perceived politicians to be shrewd and involved in every sort of antisocial activity. How could sheforgettheterribledayswhennoneofthepoliticalleadershadturneduptoseeherailinghusbandwhohadbeensoloyaltohisparty?Arjun’sabsencehadgivenmorespaceforhertoopenuptoRupali.Shehadalwayshadtheseclose

discussionswithArjun’s friendswhenever theyvisitedher.She always felt thatArjunkept things tohimself.SoshenevermissedanopportunitytoknowaboutadifferentsideofArjunfromhisfriends.LookingatthepictureofArjun’sfatherthathungonthewalltowardsherleft,shementionedhowhe

onceusedtoworkasanactivevolunteerinastate-levelparty.ShetoldRupalithatherhusbandwasamanofgreatideologiesandthathehadplayedanactiveroleinextendingthereachofthepartyamongthe lower-class colonies and slums ofDelhi.Hewould rarely ask for partymoney andwould oftenspendhisownsavingsforpartywork.Shesaidthatinordertocampaignforhispartyhehadgivenhissweatandblood,somuchsothathewasoncecanedbytheDelhipoliceandlaterbookedinthelock-upforprotestingagainstthecorruptadministrationinpower.‘Politicalprisoner,’shesaid.Butthen,whentimeschangedandthepartyheworkedforcameintopower,thingstoochangedalong

withit.Nowitwastimefortheleadersofhispartytofulfiltheirowninterests.ThatwasalsothetimewhenArjun’sfatherdiscoveredthathewassufferingfromcancer.Evenwhenhewasdying,noleadervisitedhim.Theywerebusy counting themoney theyhadbeenmaking. Itwasonlyhis friends andacquaintanceswhoknewhimforthemanhewas,whovisitedhim.Bettertreatmentinabetterhospitalcouldhavesavedhim.But theydidn’thave themoneyasagoodportionofwhatArjun’s fatherhadearned,hehadalreadyspentonpartywork.Hebelievedhispartytoowashisfamily.Butunfortunately,theleadersofthepartyneversharedthatfeeling.‘Phirkyamilaispoliticssehumey?’Hismotheraskeddisappointedlyaboutwhattheyhadpossibly

gainedfrompolitics.‘Nothing,’shesaid,lookingatthegarlandedphotographofhim.EversincethenArjun’smotherhadlostfaithinpoliticians.Thatwasalongtimeback.Herwounds

hadhealedtoalargeextent.Butnow,seeinghersongetintopolitics,itseemedtoherthathehadnotlearntfromhisfather’smistakes.But that’s exactly what Rupali’s point was. She felt that because there was a dire need to clean

politicsofsuchpeople,itwasessentialthatgoodpeoplesteppedintothedirtypuddleofpolitics.‘Ifgoodpeopledon’tstep in, thepeopleof thiscountrywillhavenooptionbut tochoose thebad

representativesastheirleadersandhandovertheirfatestothem,’shefelt.RupalireachedouttoArjun’smotherandheldherhands.‘Justbecausesomethingawfulhashappenedinthepastdoesn’tmeanthefuturetoowouldbelikethat.’Thewarmtouchofherhands,thataffectionategestureandthatpositivityinherthoughtsgavesolace

toArjun’smother.ShewantedtobelieveinRupali’swordsbutshedidn’tsayanything.‘Nowletmegiveyouahandwiththis,’Rupalisaid,pickinguptheplateofvegetablesthatArjun’s

motherhadbeencutting from.Anddespiteprotests fromArjun’smother,Rupali succeeded in takingovertheknifetochopthevegetables.Alittlelater,RupalihelpedArjun’smotherwiththecooking.Shewas impressed toseeRupali’sexpertisewithkitchenchores.NoneofArjun’s friends, includinggirlswhohadvisitedherearlier,knewanythingaboutcooking.Theonlytimetheyhadenteredthekitchenwastokeeptheiruseddishesafterhavingeatentheirmeal.Rupali’sinterestsandabilitieswereinstarkcontrasttotheirs.Rupali’spresenceinthekitchenmadeArjun’smotherrecallherowndaughter,whowouldalsohelp

herwith thecooking.Shementionedher toRupali and talkedaboutdishes sheused tomake. ‘Whatnicekheersheusedtomake!’sherecalled.But this time Rupali didn’t let her turn sad by remembering her daughter. She knew what had

happenedtoher.ArjunhadmentionedaboutherwhenthetwoofthemhadbeentotheBanglaSahibgurudwara.‘Nexttime,Iwillmakeitforyou!’sheannouncedandhuggedher.Arjun’smotherhuggedherback

andsmiled.Withthat,Rupalismartlychangedthecourseoftheirdiscussion.Asthetwoofthemcookedthefoodtogether,theytalkedaboutalotofotherthings.AttimesArjun’s

mother talkedaboutArjun’s childhoodandhownaughtyheused tobe then.At times,Rupali talked

aboutherfamilybackathernativeplace.Halfanhourlater,whenArjuncameback,thethreeofthematetheirlunchatthediningtable.Rupali

andArjunsatoppositeeachother.FromthewayArjun’smotherspokeaboutRupaliandhercookingskills,ArjunrealizedthatRupalihadimpressedher.ArjunwinkednaughtilyatRupali,whoblushed.Hewasabouttohavehisfirstbitewhenhismotheraskedhimhowthey’dmet.BothRupaliandArjunlookedateachotherandlaughed.Arjun’smotherwasnowmorethancurious

toknowwhatwassofunnyaboutwhatshehadasked.Rupalitooktheopportunitytotellherallthathadhappenedonherfirstdayincollege.Listeningtoher,Arjun’smotherplayfullyslappedArjun’sshoulderandsaid,‘Stopscaringthegirlsatleast!’‘Arey,she’snotamongthosewhogetscared!Shehasinsteadscaredbigshots!’Arjunlaughedand

beganeating.Late in theafternoon,Rupali andArjunstoodat thegate.Arjun’smothercame from inside to see

Rupali off. Rupali folded her hands in respect andArjun’smother ran her hand over her head. Sheblessedherandaskedhertovisitheragainand,ifpossible,soon.‘Youareanicegirl.Meribetikiyaaddiladituney,’(Youremindmeofmydaughter)shesaid.RupaliwarmlyhuggedArjun’smother,whocontinuedtopatherhead.WhenArjunstartedtheengineofhisjeep,thetwoladiesseparated.RupaliwavedatArjun’smother

andsatnexttoArjun.Hereversedthejeepandtheyleftthehouse.‘Sohowwasit?’Arjunaskedoncetheywereontheirwayback.‘Thefood?’Rupaliasked,deliberatelytryingtoteasehim.‘Huh?Food?No!Meetingmymom!’‘Hmm...thiktha!’(Itwasokay!)Rupalisaidwithoutenthusiasm.ArjunimmediatelyappliedthebrakesofhisjeepandlookedangrilyatRupali.‘Okay,okay,baba.Relax. Iwaskidding!’Rupali replied. ‘Itwasgreat tomeetyourmom.She’sa

lovelyperson—sosimple,soloving.Ithoroughlyenjoyedhercompanyandbeinginyourhousetoday!’‘Youaretellingthetruththistime.Right?’Arjunasked.Hisfacewasshiningduetothepraise.Rupalinodded.AlittlesmilereplacedthetemporaryfakeangeronArjun’sface.Heresumeddriving.Forquitesome

time,Rupalitalkedaboutherdiscussionwithhismomwithalotofjoy.Arjunfeltnice.ItwasagoodideatoinviteRupalitomeethismother.Bythetimetheywereclosetothecampus,thecourseofthediscussiondriftedtocampuspoliticsand

theparty’scampaignthattheyweregoingtokick-start.IthappenedwhenRupaliaskedArjunwhetherhehadbeenable to accomplish thework forwhichhehadgoneoutbefore lunch.Arjun said that itwouldtakesometimebeforetheygotthebanners.‘ThereissomethingIwanttotalkabout,Arjun,’Rupalisaid.‘Wewon’twintheelection,’shesaid

bluntly.ItbotheredhimwhenRupalisaidthat.‘What!Whatareyousaying?’‘See,Idon’thaveanyexperienceincampuspolitics.ButfromwhatIsee,youandyourgrouphave

differenceswithotherstudentbodiesoncampus.Ihavebeenthinkingaboutthis...’‘Whatdifferences?Withwhom?’Arjuninterrupted.Hewasalittleworkedupbywhatheconsidered

asRupali’snegativethoughts,evenbeforeshehadspentaweekworkingintheparty.Rupali put her hand onArjun’s and asked him to calm down. She politely explained her point to

Arjun. Rupali pointed out how on the one hand they wanted to campaign and win the trust of thestudents,butontheother,theyweredisconnectedfromvariousstudentbodies.WhenArjunaskedifshewastalkingaboutotherpoliticaloutfitsintheuniversity,shesaidno.‘Then?’askedArjun.

‘Yourdifferenceswith themusic club.Your standagainst studentswhogot admission through thereservationandquotasystem,’Rupalianswered.‘Thereisnowaywearegoingtoshakehandswiththemtowintheelections!’‘ButArjunaapmeribaatkosamajhhinahiraheho!’shesaid,tryingtoexplainherpoint.‘Iaman

activememberofthemusicclub.Noneofourmembershatesyouoryourparty.Imeanourparty.’Sheimmediatelycorrectedherself.‘Rather,amajorityofthemhatethepartyinpowerrightnow,fortheyditchedthemusicclublastyearandplayedopportunisticpoliticsbytellingthestudentsinDUthattheclubsupportedthem.‘Trustmeon this,Arjun.Themusic clubwould stillwant to remain apolitical.However, the club

wantstocontributetoachangeintheuniversity.Irealizedthatittoohascommongoalslikethatofourparty.ThemusicclubisthemostimportantwingofDU’sentireculturalclubthatalsoincludestheatregroups.Ifweworkwiththem,thereisalotwecanachieve!‘AmImakinganysense?Areyoustillangry?’Rupaliquicklycheckedbeforeexplainingfurther.‘Hmm...goon,’Arjunnodded.‘Great.So, Iwas saying that there isa lot that iscommonbetween theculturalclubandDU.The

musicclubwantstoundotheimagethattheysecretlysupportedthecurrentstudentunion.Tenzing,wholeadsourclub,alsorepresentsourcollegeattheDUlevel.HeisfightingabattleonbehalfoftheentireNorth-east student communitywhichDU still doesn’t consider as an inclusivepart.They are lookeduponasiftheyarenotoneamongus.Itisanimportantissueandifwe,asapoliticaloutfit,makeDUalevelplaying field for students fromeveryethnicity,and include this issue inouragenda,wewillbeabletograbthesupportoftheentirestudentbodyfromtheNorth-east.Thetheatregroupshavealwaystakenup theseburning issues in theirstreetplaysanddramas.Abolishing thereservationsystemandawardingseatsonlyonmerithasbeenthemessageofvariousmembersofthisgroup.Thisisexactlywhatyouhavebeenfightingfor.Thisiswhyyoujoinedstudentpoliticsinthefirstplace.Demandingthatreservationbeabolishedmeansinvitingthewrathofthosewhogotadmittedonlyonthebasisofthe quota system and they certainlywon’t vote for you. Theywill resist and endorse other politicaloutfitswhichareinfavourofreservation.’ListeningtoRupali’sthoughts,Arjundidn’trealizewhenhehadslowedthepaceofhisjeep.Rupali’s

pointswereimportant.ThewayRupalihadconnectedthedotsmadealotofsense.HecouldseethatRupali’s ideawas toget thesupportofsmaller independentbodies thatwereapolitical innatureand,therefore,couldbecomemouthpiecesoftheirparty’sideas.Inanacademicenvironmentcreativegroupsplayanimportantroleinspreadingthemessage.That’sexactlywhatRupalihadpointedat.‘And just because they are not affiliated to any particular party, people would be more open to

understandinganeutralpointofviewandthensynthesizetheirdecisionaboutwhomtovotefor,’shesaidintheend.Bythetimethetwoofthemarrivedatthehostel,ArjunwasgametodiscussRupali’spointofview

with the others in the party. He had already begun analysing the pros and cons of the discussedapproach.Workingonremovingdifferenceswasdefinitelynotgoingtobeanovernighttask.Itneededmutual trust and respect.Rupaliwas his biggest hope in bridging the gapbetweenhis party andhermusicclub.Thatday,ArjunagainfeltgratefulthathehadRupaliinhislifeandnowinhismission.JustwhenRupaliwasabouttogetoffthejeep,ArjunaskedherforTenzing’snumber.Rupalismiled

andsearchedforitinherphonebook.Arjunpulledhisphoneoutofhispockettotakethenumberwhenhesawanunreadmessage.Itwasfromhismother—ararething,forshealwayspreferredcallingArjunratherthantextinghim.Toaddtohisthrill,itwasinEnglish,alanguageshewasn’tquitecomfortablein.HeblushedonreadingitandtoldRupalithattherewassomethinghismomhadtextedhim.‘Youhit

thebullseyeinthefirstmeeting,’hesaidandcouldn’tstopsmiling.

‘Whatisit?’Rupaliaskedexcitedly.Arjunreadthemessagehismotherhadsent:‘Ilikeyourthisfriend.Whataboutyou?’

Twenty-Two

‘Didthesunrisefromthewesttoday?’Theywerepullinghisleg.Arjun’s new avatar had instantly become the talking point the moment he drove into the north

campusinthemorning.TheyhadallgatheredattheirdailyspotatShafi’steashoptowishArjunonhisbirthday. Raheema toowas a part of the gathering. She hadn’t forgottenArjun’s birthday and knewwheretofindhim.SoonherwaytothecampusinthemorningshestoppedatShafi’steashopandwasamusedtofindabrand-newversionofArjun,thoughshehadtakenafewsecondstoidentifyhim.WhenthepeoplesurroundingArjunaskedRaheemaheropiniononArjun’snewlookshewasatfirst

intwominds.Shesaidthathecertainlylookeddifferent.Someoneinthecrowdshouted,‘Raheemadidi,don’tbediplomatic.Tellthetruth!’‘Kyanabanu,bhaiya?’Raheemainquired,wonderingwhatsheshouldnot‘be’,unabletounderstand

themeaningof‘diplomatic’.‘Heiscertainlylookingdifferenttoday.Thatweallknow.Buttelluswhetherheislookinggoodor

bad!’Raheema understood this time and spent one full minute analysing Arjun’s new look. Then she

finallystartedshakingherheadandasmilecameonherface.Shesaid,‘CleanshavekarkeisT-shirtmeinzabardast lagrahehain.Ekdumheromaafik.’ (Clean shavenand inaT-shirt!He is lookingasdashingasahero!)Everyonelaughed,clappedandcheeredatthat.Buttheshowwasnotover.Inthenexttenminutesthegrouphadaskedalmosteverypasser-bythey

knew to vote on Arjun’s changed looks. Being the birthday boy, Arjun could not do much aboutbecomingtheobjectoftheirfun.Thiswasthestandardpracticeoncampusandtherumourthathehadsacrificedhisbeardandkurtaforthesakeofhisgirlfriendaddedfueltothefire.Aspertheirlittlesurvey,sixoutofninepeoplehadvotedinfavourofArjun’snewlook.Thesurvey

includedRaheema,Shafi,twoofShafi’shelpers,arickshaw-puller,twolecturersandtwogirlsfromthecollegebasketballteamwhowerethereafterplayingamorninggame.Shafiwasoneamongthethreewhobelievedhisclean-shavenlooktookawaythemachofactorhe

possessed.Therickshaw-pullerwhowasaregularattheteashop,agreed.Onereasontoapproveofthebeardedlookwasthattheybothhadbeardsthemselvesandtheyfeltcheated,asifArjunhadlefttheirclan.OneofShafi’shelpersfollowedhisemployers’opinion.However,sinceitwasArjun’sbirthday,andShafiwasamanwithabigheart,heannouncedthatthe

teawasonhimthatday.Healsoofferedthegroupthenewcookiesthathisdistributorhadsuppliedhimthenightbefore.Meanwhile, back in her room,Rupali had received the news of her boyfriend’smakeover. Saloni,

who toowas there alongwith the other basketball players, had secretly clickedArjun’s picture andmessagedittoherroommate.Shehadcalledhimherloverinhermessage:‘Teramajnu’.RupaliwasoverjoyedtoseethatArjunhadkepthispromise.Adaybefore,overthephoneshehad

insistedthatshewouldliketoseeArjuncleanshavenandinanattirethatisanythingbutakurta.Shewanted the birthdayboy to lookdifferent and special than his usual self.To her surprise,Arjun hadagreed.Butinreturnhehaddemandedthatshetoowearsomethingofhischoice.Rupaliagreed,butheragreement was based on Arjun’s fulfilment of his promise first. She liked how he looked on hercellphoneandwasexcitedaboutseeinghimwithherowneyes.However,asshewasyettofinishherpre-readsandcompleteherpendingassignment,shehadtocontainherexcitement.

Itwaslaterintheday,duringthebreak,thatshefinallygottoseehim.Itwasatthepartymeetingthathadbeencalledatthecollegerooftoptodiscussthesocialmediacampaigntheyhadtalkedaboutafewdaysback.Rupaliwas all smiles themoment she spottedArjun among the partymembers.Her arrivalmade

everyoneturnaround,includingArjun,whostoppedinthemiddleofwhathehadbeendiscussing.Shecouldnothelpbutblushasshewalkedtowardshim.‘Ladiesandgentlemen,meettheladybehindthismanArjun2.0!’Prosonjeetannounced.Everyone

laughed.Someclappedaswell.Eventhoughitwasanawkwardmomentforhim,ArjunwaswaitingforRupali’sreaction,unaware

thatshehadalreadyseenhispicture.Rupalilaughedandjoinedinwiththegroup.Whenshestoppedright in front ofArjun, she complimented him, saying, ‘Aap achey lag rahey ho.’ (You are lookingnice.)Sheknewpeoplewouldteaseher.Butbythen,thepartymembershadbecomelikefamilytoher.Shedidn’tmind facing thewhistles, thehootingand the cheers.Sheknewshehad tobehonest andappreciativeofwhatherguyhaddoneforher.‘Guys,Arjunpassedthetest!’Madhabshouted.‘ButRupali,howdidyougetthisoutofhim?’Prosonjeetasked.‘Heaskedmetofulfiloneofhisrequests.Iagreedontheconditionthathefirstfulfilmyrequest.His

requestwassodeartohim,thatheagreedtoacceptmine!’Rupalianswered.‘AndnowYOUhavetokeepYOURpromise,’Arjunremindedher.Rupalinodded.‘That’snice,Rupali.ThereareacoupleofthingsIwantArjuntodo.MaybeIwillgetintouchwith

youoffline.Youcanputthemasyournextrequests,’Prosonjeetmocked.‘Saaleykaminey,’Arjunlight-heartedlyflungouthishandandgrippedProsonjeet’sneck.TryingtoreleasehimselfoutofArjun’sgrip,Prosonjeetshouted,‘Guyslet’sdoitnoworI’mgoing

todie!’Innotime,someonegrabbedhislegsandliftedArjunup.Someoneelsegrabbedhisarmsandsome

othersliftedhimfromtheback.IthappenedsoquicklythatRupaliandtwoothergirlsinthatgatheringbarelygotachancetopullthemselvesoutofthecircle.Forthenextcoupleofminutes,RupaliwatchedArjun’sbodybeingtossedupintheairashegothis

birthdaybumps.Theybegancounting.Arjunscreamed,heyelled,heabused.Butitallgotdrownedinthemadscreamsofhisfriends.Hisbodyswungupanddownintheair,againandagainandagaintilltheycountedtotwenty-one.RupalifeltpityforArjun,butcouldnotdomuchaboutit.Onlyintheend,whenthebumpystretchofthebirthdaycelebrationswasover,didsheinquire,‘Areyouallright?’Theinnocentconcernwasboundtobetakenlightlyaseveryonelaughed.‘Allrightfolks,shallwenowgetdowntotheworkforwhichwehadallgatheredhere?Imean,apart

fromgivingmebirthdaybumps,’Arjunremindedeveryone.Thenextfifteenminutes,incontrasttotheprevious ones, involved serious discussions thatwere packedwith questions and answers.The partymembersbroughtintheirfindingsandlaidoutadraftofanactionplan.Rupalimadebulletpointsoftheimportantitemsandwrotethemonthelastpagesofhernotebook.TogethertheydecidedthenameoftheFacebookpagethattheyweregoingtocreateandwhattheprofilewouldlooklike.SomeonehadalreadycreatedaGmail ID in thenameof theirparty.Theplanwas touse thesameIDeverywhere,includingaYouTubevideothattheyweresupposedtocreate.Theydiscussedthenatureofthecontentand the frequencywithwhich theywere going to update posts. The technicalities of how theyweregoingtoexpandandreachouttotheentireDU,collegebycollege,werealsocovered.Fortheday,themainagendawasavideothatMadhabwantedtoshootintheevening.Hehadcalledeveryonetomeetoutside thecollegeonthecampuslawns.‘Ifeverythinggoesright,wewilluploadthisvideobynextSunday,’hehadsaid.

It was little over break time, when they all called off the meeting and dispersed to attend theirrespectiveclasses.Justbeforeleaving,RupaliremindedArjunthattheyhadplannedtomeetTenzingaswell.Arjun confirmed the time.Hewanted to finish the conversation beforeMadhab’s video shoot.Rupaliconfirmedthevenue.Musicroomitwas.

‘Whatbothersmethemostisthisword—chinki.Thatdaywhenyourpartymembersdisruptedourset-up,thisiswhattheycalledme.NomatterwhatIdo,asanindividualIdon’thaveanidentity.NoneofusfromtheNorth-easthasanindividualidentity.Wearejustchinki.Allofus,’Tenzingsaid,hisvoicefullofpainanddespair.ArjunandRupaliwhosatonatableinfrontofTenzing,heardhimashecontinuedtospeak.‘This isaseriousmindset issue thatstretchesbeyond thewallsofDU.Youknowhowmuchmore

difficultitisforoneofustofindahouseonrentinthiscity,justbecauseofourappearance?Lookingatoureyesandourhairstyle,somecallusChinese.Thisreallyhurts.WeareasmuchIndianasyouare!’hesaid,pointingtobothofthem.After a moment’s silence, when Arjun had absorbed all that Tenzing had spoken, he said, ‘I

understandwhatyouaresaying.AndIagreethatthisisamindsetissue.PerhapsforalongtimetherestofIndiawasneverbotheredenoughtoevenconsiderthisasanissue,forgetaddressingit.’‘Yeah...’Rupalibegan.BothArjunandTenzinglookedather.‘...Andevenifthisissueextends

beyondthewallsofthisuniversity,itmustbeaddressedatleastintheuniversity.Maybethenwecantake the solution to theworldbeyondDUaswell.At the leastwemustpractise inclusivityof everyethnicityonourcampuses,’shesaid.‘Butyouknowwhat?’ sheadded, ‘Insteadof findingasolution, Iamwonderinghow itcame into

existenceinthefirstplace.Imeantosay,whyisitthatwetendtosidelinetheNorth-eastanddetachthepeoplefromthisgeography?Asiftheyarenotapartofus?’Tenzingshrugged,‘Gladtoseesomeoneisatleastbotheringtothinkaboutit!Youknow,duringthe

lastsemesterbreakagoodnumberofushaddiscussedthis.AgroupofuswereonthesametraintillKolkata, afterwhichwewere supposed to change trains toournative states in theNortheast.Here’swhatwe felt.You see it all starts at the school level.While our history books cover everything thathappened in this country from JammuandKashmir toTamilNadu, they rarely talk about a detailedhistoryoftheNorth-easternstates.PeoplenevergettoknowaboutuswhentheyareintroducedtotherestofIndia.Ourhistoryissimplymissinginthosebooks.Thereinliestheneglect.Theperceptionthatwearen’tasimportantastheotherstatesofthiscountry.‘ThegeographicalknowledgeofusIndiansissoskewedthatwewillknowthecapitalofPunjab,but

won’tknowthecapitalofMizoram.Forgetthecapitals,amajoritydoesn’tevenknowthenamesoftheNorth-easternstates.Idon’tliveinahostel.Twoyearsback,beforeImovedintomyrentedapartment,whenItoldmylandlordthatIamfromtheNorth-east,heaskedmewhichcountrythatwasin!Thisisthereality;suchahugelackofawareness.Therearesevensisterstates in theNorth-east,besides theHimalayanstateofSikkim.HowmanytimeshaveyouseenafacefromtheNorth-eastonthecoverofamagazine representing a common Indian or, for that matter, doing a TV commercial? How manyactressesarethereinBollywoodfromthispartofthecountry?HollywoodhasacceptedChineseactors,butinourowncountryBollywoodisyettotakepeoplefromtheNorth-eastintoconsideration.PeoplebelievethatwearedistinguishedfromtherestoftheIndiansbecauseofourlooksandouraccent.Butifyouthinkdeeper,that’snottrue.Becausehaditbeenaboutlooks,aSikhwithhisturbanandhisbeard,is far more distinguishable than me. In this country, where language and accent change every fiftykilometres,howdoesitmatterwhatmyaccentis?‘People discriminate against us because they are not familiar with us. They are familiar with the

culture of a Punjabi and a Tamilian but aren’t that familiarwith ours. And somewould also argue,

rightly so, that why cluster our states as North-east?Why not remember our states with their ownnames?Buttoarriveatthatlevel,thecountryshouldfirstknowaboutus.Thesadtruthisthatwearefor sure legal citizens of India, but unfortunately,we are not accepted as cultural citizens of India,’Tenzingsighed.HiswordsechoedinArjun’sears.Hewasstunnedtounderstandthegravityoftheissue.Everyword

hehadsaidwasaneye-openerforRupali.Itdefinitelyinfluencedthewayshelookedattheissue.Thein-depthinsightsthatTenzinghadprovidedand,especially,thewayhehaddeliveredthatlittlespeechhad left Arjun thinking. The impact of it was such that Arjun requested Tenzing to consider hisinvitationtoholdaninteractivesessionwiththerestofhispartymembersatthenextmeeting.HealsoinsistedoninvitingafewofhisfriendsfromtheNorth-east.‘Icandoso,butnotinthecapacityofamusicclubmember,butasastudentfromtheNorth-eastwho

isfightingforouridentityinDU,’Tenzingsaid.‘Yes.Iunderstandthat,’Arjunreplied.Evenafter that intensemeeting, the interactionsof that longdaywerenotyetover forRupali and

Arjun.TheyhadtomeetagainonthecampuslawnsforMadhab’sshoot.Butbeforethat,RupalihadtofulfilthewishArjunhadmade.

Asdecided,theyhadallgatheredonthecollegelawns.Inwalkedayounggirlinastunningwhitelaceysleevelesstopandbrownleggings.Herhairhadbeenblow-driedtofallinsoftcurlsaroundherfaceandfromunderthebigblacksunglassesyoucouldonlyseeasoftmouthwithpinkgloss.Shewaswearinglongsilverearringsandbrownhigh-heeledshoes.Shewalkedslowlytowardsthem.Instantly, all eyes were on her. When the boys in the group saw this glamorous young woman

walkingtowardsthem,theybegantowonderwhoshewas.OnlywhenRupalijoinedthemandtookoffhersunglasses,didtheirjawsdrop.‘Idon’tbelievethis!’Madhabsaid.‘Yeah...wedon’teither...’murmuredotherswitheyesandmouthswideopenindisbelief.Arjunstaredatherandthenwalkedcloser—hiseyeslookingatheradmiringly.Itwasclearthathe

wasn’tabletosayanything.‘Mygoodness,Rupali!Youlookhot!’Shipra,oneofthepartymembers,complimented.‘Whatareyouguysupto?Givingussurprises!FirstArjunappearedlikeadifferentpersonandnow

youinthisglamavatar?’Prosonjeetsaidloudly.‘I had to keep my promise!’ Rupali smiled seductively and looked at Arjun, who still seemed

shocked.‘ButyourtransformationisfarbiggerthanthatofArjun’s.Straightfromthe...uh,sorry,butbehenji

type...toaDelhigirl.Whatdoyousay,guys?’Prosonjeetshouted.Therewasaloudcheerallaroundthem.Alotofhootingandwhistling.Rupalismiledshylyasshe

stoodnexttoArjun,whowasnowbeaming,lookingquiteproudofhisgirlfriend.Shereceivedalotofcomplimentsonhowshewasabletocarryoffthewesternlook.RupalisecretlythankedSaloniforthis.Haditnotbeenforher,shewouldn’thavebeenabletoputthislooktogether.Meanwhile,Arjunkepthappilystaringather.Hecouldn’ttakehiseyesoffherinthatbody-hugging,

figure-revealing,top.Throughthestrappynecklinehecouldseeherchiselledneckandcollarbones.Hegazedat thesmoothskinandthedelicacyofhershouldersthatwereotherwisealwayshiddenbehindthesuitsthatshewore.Hedidn’tforgettonoticethatRupaliwasstillwearingthependantthathehadgiftedheronNewYear’sEve.Shenevertookitoff.Hewantedtotouchher,feelherskin.Hewantedtoholdher,kissher,soakintheheadyaromaofher

perfume.Hewonderedhowagirl,whomhehadtillthenadmiredforbeingamatureintelligentpersonwithagoodheart,couldalsohavesuchasensualsidetoher!Andhowpowerfulwashisattractionto

her.Arjuntriedtocontrolhisthoughtsbutcouldn’t.Rupalihadignitedsomethingelseinhisheart.Suddenly,MadhabshoutedandbroughtArjunoutofhisdaze.Hewanted to shoot innatural light

before the evening got darker. It was anukkad naatak, a street play, that he had thought about andwanted tocaptureonhishandycam.Thescenewas thatofaguyandagirl in lovewhohad justgotadmittedtothesamecollegeinDU.Hechosethreecouplesfromhisteam.RupaliandArjunbecamehisfinalchoicefortheirreal-lifelovestory.Heexplainedthefirstscenetoeveryone.Thecouplewassupposed to lie down on the lawn and look into each other’s eyes as they talked about how theyvisualized spending the next few years of their lives in college. In the next portion of the video hewantedtoshowcasethecontrastbetweentheirdreamsandthegroundreality.However,todaywasaboutthefirstpart.Thesecondparthehadplannedtoshootonanotherday,inanothersetting.Madhabaskedeveryonetotaketheirpositionsandperformtheacttogether.Hesaidtheyshouldkeep

talkingnormallywhilehewalkedafullcirclewithhiscameratocapturethescene.Everyone,includingthosewhoweregoingtoact,wasexcited.Most coupleswonderedwhat theywould talk about.OnlyRupali andArjunweren’t too bothered

aboutit.Madhabhadgiventhemallafewlines.Hewasnotgoingtorecordthevoicesthatevening.Therewasavoice-overheplannedtodowhileeditingthevideo.‘Thankyouforkeepingyourpromise,’ArjunwhisperedashelookedintoRupali’seyes.Rupalismiled.Theywerelyingontheslightlypricklygrassofthelawns.Thegentlesunlightwasstreamingthrough

the clouds and on their bright faces. Rupali’s pendant intermittently flashed the falling sunlight andplayfullyblindedArjun’seyes.‘Gosh!Youlookbeautiful!’Rupali glowedwith happiness. Finally, herArjun had saidwhat shewanted to hear. She found it

difficulttocontinuelookingintohiseyes.Sheknewitwasadifferentmoment,differentfromthetimestheyhadmetbefore.SheknewthatArjunwaslookingatherinawaythathehadneverdonebefore.Secretly,shewantedhimtonoticemoreofherandnotherclothes.Suddenly,sherealizedMadhabwassayingsomething.HehadbeenshoutingatArjun initiallyand

whenthelost-inhis-girlfriend-guydidn’thearhimforthethirdtime,MadhabcalledoutRupali’sname.Shehearditthesecondtime.‘Thankyousomuch,Rupali,forfinallylisteningtome.Whatareyouguysupto?’Madhabshouted.

TheotherscontinuedtomakefunofArjunwhohadcompletelymissedthepoint.WhenArjunturnedandlookedatMadhab,thelatteraskedhim,‘Youarelost,myfriend!Whatare

youupto?PleaseturntowardsyourleftandbeawarethatIamhere!’‘Alright!Alright!Herewearetryingtogiveyouarealisticshotandyouareshoutingatus!’Arjun

said,followinghisinstructions.Hewastakingthewholethingquitelightly.‘Yes,thisisfinenow.LookatRupaliandcontinuetalking,’Madhabshouted,lookingatthescreenof

hishandycam.Madhabcontinuedtoshootthemforthenextfewminutes.Aftertheentireshootwasdoneandwhile

reviewinghisrecordinghelookedatArjunandRupaliandsaid,‘Youguyshaveanamazingchemistry!’

‘No!Holdmelikethis.Yes.Thisway.Perfect!’It’s the thirdand finalnightof the collegeannual fest.The lawnsoutside theadministrativeblock

bustlewithstudentsenjoyingandcheeringalivebandofBollywoodsingers.Abouthalfanhourback,the college’smusic club had received a phenomenal response when Tenzing and Rupali had sung apeppynumber‘MastikiPaatshaala’—asongthathadunofficiallybecomeDU’santhem.Eventhoughtheoriginalnumberdidn’thavea female singer,Tenzing’s ideaof experimentingwitha femalevoicehadworkedbrilliantly.ItwasthefinalnumberandtheyhaddedicatedittothestudentsandlifeatDUingeneral.Theboysandgirlsintheaudiencehadloveditandtheyshowedtheirenthusiasmforitbyclapping theirhands in theair, in syncwith the rhythmof the song.Sincealmost everyoneknew thecatchylyrics,thecrowdsangalong.Itwasfunandtheyendedthesongtoloudcheersof,‘Oncemore!’Butthatwashalfanhourback.Nowthatthestarattractionofthenight, theBollywoodband,had

begunitsshow,sheslippedoutofthegatheringtoenjoyArjun’scompany.Eveningslikethese,onesfullof festivities, enhances the feeling of being in love and makes it even more joyful. Along with thecelebrationswithfriends,givingthemthesliptocatchafewprivatemomentswiththatspecialsomeonemakestheexperiencedelightfullyadventurous.Frombehindher,ArjunslipshishandsaroundRupali’swaist, just thewayshesuggestedasecond

back. He interlocks them around hernaval. She is wearing a white V-neck cardigan over a white-collaredtop.Apairofbluedenimscompletethelook.That’shermusicclub’sdresscodeforthenight’sperformance.‘Aren’tyouafraidthatsomeonemightturnuphereandseeus?’Arjungentlyasksasherestshischin

overhershoulder.Theyarelookingdownatthegatheringthatisenjoyingtheliveband.‘No,’shesaysandturnsherheadtofacehim.Fromtherooftop,theviewofthegroundiselectrifyingandspectacular.‘Areyou?’sheasks,wonderingifheisscaredthatsomeonemightseethem.Themusic,thesongsandthethumpingofthecrowdcontinuesinthebackgroundofwhatlookslikea

relaxedconversation.Asmileeruptsatthecornerofhislipsandtakessufficienttimetoflourishfurther.Heshakeshishead

tobrushawayRupali’sconcernandthenkissesherforehead.Shelooksintohiseyes.Shetrustshimandturnsherheadbacktothegatheringfivelevelsbelowthem.Noone speaks forawhile.Theyare enjoying themusic.Theyare enjoyingbeing together in that

moment.‘It’sabeautifulnight.Isn’tit?’Rupalisays.‘Yes,itis,’Arjunrepliesinahalfwhisper.Hekissesherneckwhilehespeaks,itticklesherandshe

giggles.Thenhenuzzlesherneckandhecanfeelhersuddenlytenseup.Theyaresoclose...Helooksupattheskytodistracthimself.‘Whathappened?’Rupaliasks.Shecansensethathehasmovedawayabit.Hetakesamomentandthensoftlysays,‘Wintersarebiddinggoodbye.Younoticed?’Strangely,he

soundssadwhenhesaysso.Rupalismiles,‘Yestheyare.’Arjundoesn’tsayanythingandrestshischinbackonhershoulder.Inresponse,sheputsherhandon

hischeekandpatsitaffectionately.‘Andyoudon’twantthemtoend?’Arjunknowsthatitdoesn’tmatterwhathewishesforandthatseasonswillchangewhentheirtime

comes.Yethalf-heartedlyhesays,‘Iwishtheywouldn’t...’andthenadds,‘Buthowdoesitmatter?’Rupali smilesat his response. She turnsherhead for the second time, this time to lookatArjun’s

unhappyface.Herhandisstilloverhischeek.‘Itmatterstome,’shesays,holdingoutasmile.‘Butwhydon’tyouwantthemtoend?’

Arjuntakesanothermomenttoframehisthoughts.‘Thesewintersarespecial.Ourlovestorybeganwiththem.’Hesaysandslipshishandsinbetweenhercardiganandhertop.ThenhesighsandRupalicanfeelhisbreathbehindherear.Itmakesherfeelwarm.SherunsherhandsoverhercardigantofeelArjun’shandinsideit.‘True,thesewintersarespecialandIwillneverforgetthem,’sheslowlybegins.‘ButArjun,justlike

thesewinters,Iwanttoseeandenjoyotherseasonswithyou.Ilookforwardtothem.’‘Hmm. You’re right again,’ Arjun says. Suddenly he’s looking at things differently—just like she

showedhimto.Herealizesthatheisn’tsadabouttheebbingwintersanymore.AndjustlikeRupali,hetooislookingforwardtothespringthat’sabouttosurroundtheirlove.

Twenty-Three

It was Abbaas Hanif, an MLA from the ruling party in Delhi, who moved Mahajan’s bail plea.Mahajan’saunt,adistantrelative,hadpassedawayinaremotevillageneartheDelhi–Haryanaborder.Using his politicalmuscle and through the able services of his advocate,Hanif had filed a plea thatMahajanshouldgetbailtogrievethelossofhisdearaunt.InmanywaysHanifwasMahajan’sgodfather.Underhisnoseandwithhisblessings,Mahajanhad

gainedpowerandflourishedinDU.Inreturn,MahajanworkedforHanifandfocusedonbuildingandempoweringtheyouthwingoftheparty.Butthatwasafewmonthsback,beforeMahajanwascaughtin a disgraceful act andwas locked in jail. Back then, other politicians had broken all contactwithMahajanbecausebeingseenwithataintedprofessorwouldbeinvitingtrouble.Hanifhadtoldhimtohavepatience.‘LetthedustsettleandIwilldosomethingforyourescape,’hehadsaid.Hanif kept his word, more so because he needed Mahajan. He needed him to revive the dying

students’union.Heneededhimbecause,besidesMahajan,therewasnoonetocontrolthefunctionsoftheunion.HehadtradedhisescapetobringthingstoanorderinDUpoliticsforHanif.HanifknewthatinMahajan’sabsence,hisparty’syouthwingwasonthevergeofcollapse.AndthismeanttroubleforHanif’sparty.AsIndianpoliticswasmovingtowardswooingtheyouthofthiscountry,losingtheirholdinDUwasnotsomethingtheycouldaffordatthattime.Notlimitingit toabailoftwoweeks,HanifhadplannedtokeepMahajanoutoftheprisonforalongertimeonthefakegroundsofill-health.This certainlywasopportunistic politics, but then therewasnootherway forHanif andMahajan.

Withthesecondsemesterduetoendinjusttwomonthsandtheapproachingfinalexams,theyhadlittletimeleftintheirhands.Mahajanknewthatifhedidn’tactfast,hewouldnotbeofanyusetothepartyhewas loyal to.Then,hewouldbeback in the jail.He, therefore,hadnootheroptionbut todeliverresultstoHanifatanycost.Out of the jail, he assessed the ground realities and the students’ inclination towards the political

parties.Healsogaugedtheteacherassociation’smindsetoncampuspolitics.Hedidn’tneedtovisitthecampusforhislittleresearch.Histrustworthysourcesreachedhishouseongettingthefirstcallfromhim.The situationwasgrim,he analysed.The fact that therewasnotmuch time left in their hands,mademattersworse.Amidst all this,Arjun’spartywasgaininga strongmomentum in the entireuniversity. In thepast

threemonthstheircampaign,basedonissuesliketheanti-quotamovement,inclusivityofstudentsofallethnicity—withaspecialfocusonNorth-easternstudents,bettermentofhostelsandthelifeofstudentsoncampus,hadgotthesupportofnumerousstudents’groups.Theonlinesocialnetworkingcampaignhadplayedamajorroleinthismovement.Morethan50,000studentsinDU,acrossvariouscolleges,hadjoinedtheirFacebookpage.Oneofthereasonsbehindgainingahugenumberoffollowersinsuchashorttimewastheircrowd-sourcedonlineeventsthathadgoneviral.ItwasRupali’sideatohostatabontheirpagewherepeoplecouldreportwhattheysawasaproblemontheircampus.Itstartedasafunactivitywithphotographsofstraydogshavingsexinthecourtyardoftheirhostelbeinguploaded,butsoonbecameanimportantforum.Fromunhygienickitchenareasinmesses,topoorWi-Fisignalinthehostel floors,everythingmade itsway to thispage.Peoplenotonlywroteabout theirproblems, theyalsoclickedandpostedpicturesasproof.Whilethepartyvolunteerscommentedonthevalidproblemsandincludedthemintheiragenda,thepagealsoinvitedtheinterestsoftheEinsteinsandNewtonsofDU.Theyofferedlow-costyetgood-qualitysolutionstoproblemsmentionedbyotherstudents.Timeandagaintheyremindedthestudentsthat, if thepartycomestopower, theyshouldbegiventhefirst

chancetofixtheproblemstheyhadbroughtunderthescanner.Theyaskedforanopportunitytoprovetheirmettle.Suchwas the influence of this Facebook page that even the students’ union in power had started

pickinguponproblemshighlightedonthepageandtriedtofixthem.However,theyonlyfocusedonthereallysmallissuestogainbrowniepoints.ThepagebecamesofamousthatitalsograbbedtheattentionofthealumniofDU.Thisledtoanew

ideaamongthepartyworkers—connectingwithalumniandholdingalumni-gyansessionsclosertotheplacementseason.NotonlydidRupalibridgethegapbetweentheculturalclubandtheparty,shealsobroughtinfresh

facestojointheparty;manyofthemweregirlsfromherbatch.Shefeltthattheirparty’sgenderratiowascompletelyskewedinfavouroftheboysandthattherewasn’tenoughrepresentationfromthegirls.Withherpositiveimage,thepartymanagedtoregistermorethan35percentofgirlsasactivemembers.Initially,theolderpartyvolunteerswerebotheredtoseesomanyfirstyearstudentsjoiningthem.Theyhadraisedthepointthatthelackofexperienceincampuspoliticsthatthefirstyearbatchwouldbringwoulddilutetheparty’scoreteam.Tothat,Rupalipointedoutthatlackofpriorexperiencewouldalsomeanthattheirvisionwouldnotbecloudedbythebaggageofpastpolitics.‘Freshmindswillbringfreshideaswiththem,’shehadsaid.Despiteallthegoodworkshehaddone,Rupalinevergotcarriedaway.Shewasclearfromthefirst

daythatshedidn’twanttostandforanypostintheelections,eventhoughmanyofherpartyworkerssuggestedhernameasacandidate.Hermottowasclear.ShewantedtoworkforapartythatpromisedtomakeDUabetterplacetoliveinandstudy.‘Butwhataboutourcoreissue,thefightagainstthereservationsystem?’Madhabquestioned.Thepartymembershadgatheredtorefinethepointsontheiragenda.‘I understand that reservation is a problematic area in our admission process,’ Rupali replied to

Madhabandtoeveryonewhohadgathered.AfewvolunteerswerealreadyinfavourofwhatRupaliwassaying.‘Thenwhyareyounotgivingitthedueimportance?’avoiceinthegatheringasked.‘BecauseIfeeltheissuealsohasroomforahealthydiscussion.OnourFacebookpage,anumberof

sportspersonsfromthisuniversityhavewrittenaboutwhyweshouldnotbeanti-sportsquotawhilewefighttoabolishotherquotasandpromotemeritocracy,’shereasoned.‘Ihavebeensayingthesamethingforthepasttwoyears,’Prosonjeetadded.‘Are we now diluting our stand on this subject? Support some quotas and reject others? That’s

hypocrisy,no?’Madhabsaid.Afewvoicessupportedhim.‘It’snotlikethat,Madhab,’Prosonjeetargued.‘Thenwhyareyouvouchingforsportsquota?’Madhabaskedback.ThistimeRupaliintervenedtoanswer.Shehadalreadythoughtthroughallthatshehadtosay.She

begantospeakinacomposedmanner.‘Okay, so here aremy thoughts.And as I said,we should hold a healthy debate on this and then

followwhatthemajoritybelievesin,’shesaid.‘Guys,weallneedtounderstandwhy,asaparty,weareagainstreservation.Becausemeritoriousstudentsmissout,right?Plus,thereisthemenaceofstudentsmakingfakeOBC/ST/SCcertificatestogetbackdoorentry,thankstothecorruptioninourcountry.‘In twenty-first-century India, shouldwe continue to get privileges for taking birth in a particular

casteandcategory?Doesn’t thiswholesystemworkagainst realmerit?Weallagree that itdoesandthatiswhyweallarefightingagainstit.Andourstandisthat,foranything,theHRDministryshouldabolishsuchquotasandratherendorseacategoryforeconomicallybackwardstudentsandsponsortheireducation.Buthereagain,theadmissionshouldbebasedonmerit.Studentsshouldnotbedifferentiatedonthebasisoftheircastebutontheireconomicalbackground—whetherornottheirparentsareina

position to support their education. A poor student from a general category should deserve asponsorshipandnotawealthySCstudent.Butunlikeotherquotas,thesportsquotaretainsthevalueofmerit.Thisisn’taquotathatawardsyourfateoftakingbirthinaparticularcasteorsectofthesociety;itrightfullyawardsyourabilitytoprovethatyouarebetterthanothersinthefieldofsports.Youarenotbestowedthisprivilegebybirth,butyouhavetoearnit.Andthismakesitalevelplayingfieldforallofus.‘Asanation,otherthanthereligionofcricket,wearesosports-deficientthatinspiteofapopulation

ofmorethanabillionpeopleweonlygrabtwotothreemedalsintheOlympics.Weneedtosupporttheinitiativestoendorsesportsandcreditmarksforit.Inourfighttoabolishtheineptquotasystem,let’snotthrowthebabyoutwiththebathwater.’

‘Thereal threat isn’tArjunandhisseasonedpartymembers,’MahajansaidashefinishedconsumingthelastsipofhisteainHanif’sdrawingroom.Hanifhadcalledhimtogetastatusupdateonthecampuspoliticsandseewhatneededtobedonein

thelittletimetheyhadintheirhand.‘Whatdoyoumean?Iftheyarenottherealthreat,whoisitthen?Aspermysources,thosestudents

aregoingtostandforelections.Isn’tthistrue?’Hanifaskedinsurprise.‘Yes,your information is right.But thosesenior studentsaren’t the real threat—it is that firstyear

girl,’Mahajan revealed in a bitter and vengeful tone.His eyes narrowed in anger as he recalled hisinteractionwith her. In fact,Mahajan brought Rupali into the conversation to serve two purposes—nippingtherevolutionofabolishingthequotasysteminthebudandpunishingthegirlwhohadputhiminthispositioninthefirstplace.‘Agirlfromthefirstyear?’Hanifaskedasheopenedtheboxofpaanplacedonthetableinfrontof

him.‘Theonewithwhom Ihave someunfinishedbusiness!’Mahajan said.His eyeswereglued to the

surfaceoftheglasstableinfrontofhim.‘Oh,youmeanthesamegirlwhogotyou...’hestoppedhissentencemidway.Hewasverypleased

—iftherewasanothermotiveotherthanjustpolitics,itwasevenbetter.MahajanturnedhisheadtolookatHanif.Hanifcouldseeamixofpainandangerinhiseyes.‘Yes.

Thatsamegirl.’‘Hmm...’‘ShehasunitedafewkeystudentgroupsinDUwithherparty.Theynowhaveavastsupportbase.

AndIbelieveshe isn’tdone.Theywill reachout to the remainingstudentbodiesalso in thecomingdays.’‘Whatsortofstudentgroupsandbodiesareyoutalkingabout,Mahajan?’‘Themusic club, the theatre groups, for thatmatter, the entire cultural group, and not just at the

collegelevel.Thingshavenowmovedbeyondaparticularcollege.Theyaregettingsupportfromtheentire university. The creative groups, through their events and shows, can become the voice of theparty.Theyhaveahugeimpactontheiraudience’smind,eventhoughtheyaren’tapartof theparty.Notonly this,mysourceshaveupdatedme thatshehasgota lotof femalestudents toenrol in theircampaign.DUgirls,sofar,werenotveryinterestedinelectionsandvoting.TheyaretryingtosellthedreamofmoregirlpowerinDU!’Mahajansaid,almostspittingthewordsout.‘Damn!Mahajan.ThiswaywewillberoutedinDU.Don’twehaveanystudents’grouponourside

whoarewillingtosupportus?’Hanifaskedplacingapaaninsidehismouth.‘Thereisone.It’snotanofficialgroup,butanunofficialoneconstitutingtheboysandgirlswhogot

admittedundervariousquotas.Thatincludestheoneswhomwehelpedget inthroughthebackdoor.Arjun’s party is against the quota system. Clearly, they won’t be voting for them. Picking up from

Arjun’s party, now other parties are also protesting against the reservation system. So they willdefinitelyvoteforus,’Mahajanexplained.Hanif took a fewmoments to absorb all thatMahajan had said. He then tried to think of all the

probablewaystosavethesinkingshipofhispartyinDU.Laterinthedayhewassupposedtomeetthestudentunionleadersandchalkoutastrategyfortheelections.But,forMahajan,hisright-handmaninDU,hehadsomesensitiveanddifficulttasksinhismind.‘Thenit’sclearwhatyoushoulddo.Polarizetheatmosphere.Createtensionbetweenquotastudents

andothers.InstilfearinthemindsofthestudentsinthereservationcategoryaboutwhatwillhappenifDU loses the quota system. Anyhow, in DU elections, only about 40 per cent of the entire studentstrengthvotes.Theremaining60percentisn’tbotheredaboutelections.Ifwecanget95percentofthereservation-categorystudentstocomeoutandvoteonelectionday,wewillstillhaveachance.Withnoother party in favour of the quota, they will vote for us. But to push them to vote, you need toorchestrateabattlebetweenthem.Sellthemtheideaoffightingfortheirrights.Andinthisbattle,ifanOBCstudentishurtandgetsadmittedinanICU,itwillonlyfuelthefire.Themediawillrunastory—Dalit boy brutally attacked in DU. That will get our party the brownie points. You knowwhat Imean?’‘Ofcourse!’Mahajannodded.Heknew that in this short spanof timeonlya sensationalgimmick

couldworkintheirfavour.AsMahajanrackedhisbrainstobreakthebiggertaskintovarioussmallertasks,Hanifslidbackin

his comfortablechair andenjoyedhispaan.Ashe savoured the flavourof it, hepatientlywaited forMahajantoaskhimquestionsincasehehadany.ButMahajanwascrystalclearinhisunderstanding.The next timeHanif opened his paan-stainedmouth to speak, he askedMahajan, ‘But I ammore

worriedaboutthisfirstyeargirl...whateverhernameis.Howisshemanagingtogetthesupportofallthesegroups?’‘Sheistoosmartforherage.Atthecostofmyimage,thebitchhasbuiltherown.Shewon’tfightthe

elections.Butshehascunninglytrappedtheparty’spresidentialcandidateinthewebofherlove.That’sherlevelofsmartness!’‘Oh,sothatguyArjunandthisgirl.. .’Hanifraisedhishandintheairandmovedhisfingerasif

trying toconnect thedots,whenMahajannoddedhisheadandsaid, ‘Janaab, ishqaurraajniti saathsaathchalraheyhain.’(Sir,loveandpoliticsaremovinghandinhand.)Thentheybothbecamethoughtful.Suddenly,Hanifbrokehissilence.WhathesaidnextwasgoingtochangeeverythinginArjun’slife.‘Ifafirstyeargirlcancontrolsuchseniorboys,ifshecansendacunningprofessorlikeyoubehind

bars,justimagineMahajan,whatshewillbecapableofwhenshelandsinthirdyear...’Hepausedfora while to giveMahajan time to think. Then he slowly spoke, ‘. . . Saanp ko jitni jaldi kuchal dobadhiyahai.’(Thesooneryoukilloffthesnake,thebetteritis.)

Bythen,withSaloni’shelp,RupalihadalsoropedinSaloni’sboyfriendImran,whowasakeyplayerinthe college basketball team, to their party folds. That was the beginning of various sports’ clubssupportingArjun’sparty.

‘AndIwanttokissyouthere,underyourear,behindyourearring...’Hereyesareclosed.Withoutlettinghimknow,shetouchesherselfbehindherleftear.Sheismildly

trembling.Inresponsetohissensuousvoice,hervoicenowgetssofter.‘Then?’‘ThenIwanttoinhaleyourfragrancefromyournecktothedepressionbelowyourcollarbone...’‘Umm!But,Iam...Iam...notwearinganydeodorantrightnow.’‘Isaid,Iwanttosmellyou.Yourbody.Notthedeodorant.’‘Ahh!’Sherunsherfingeroverhercollarboneandwondershowherbodysmells.Thereissilencefromher

end.Hegetsworried.‘Areyoufine?Areyou...’‘Andthen?’sheinterrupts.‘Hmm...AndthenIamgoingtotickleyourcollarbonewithmytongue!’‘Ouch!Ha...Ha...’‘Youareenjoyingthis,aren’tyou?’‘Andthen?’Shedoesn’twanttohaveaconversation.‘Well,onmywaymy tonguegetsdistractedandmoves toyourbrastrap. Ihave torunmy tongue

aboveit.Iamgoingtolickit.’Shesighs,intoxicatedwithpleasure.‘ButIam...Iam...notwearinganythingthathasastrap.’‘Sowhatareyouwearing,then?’‘OnlyaT-shirt.Nothingwithastrap.’‘JustaT-shirt?’‘No!Imean...Yes!AT-shirtandshorts.’‘Wellthen,IwillpulltheT-shirtdownyourshoulder.’Shepullsitdown.Hershoulderisbare.Shetakesasecondtocatchherbreath.Thepitchofhervoicegetsweakeragain.‘Then?’‘Islipmyotherhandunderyourtopandholdyourwaist.’‘OhGod!’shewhispers.‘...Myfingerscrawlupthearchofyourslenderwaistandmovetowardsyourstomach.’Herotherhandisbusyholdingthephone,sosheleavesthestretchedneckofherT-shirtandreaches

outforherwaistline.SherunsherfingersinsyncwithArjun’swords.‘Andthen?’‘Icanseeyournavelnow.’‘Oh!’shegasps.Afewsecondspassandnoonespeaks.Thesilenceitselfhasturnedsensualwithpossibilities.‘Aren’tyougoingtosay“andthen”?’Amomentpasses.Sheistryingtoabsorbitall.Meanwhile,adebatehaseruptedbetweenherheart

andhermind.Shouldshedrawaline?And,ifso,when?Herheartwinsthebattle.‘Andthen?’sheaskssoftly.Hisheartbeatsfaster.‘Iwanttokissyouthere,Rupali.Inthedepthsofyournavel.Iwanttorunmytongueinsidethemoist

skinofyourbellybutton.God!Isowanttodoitrightnow...’Herfingersautomaticallycrawldowntohernavel.Theytraceasensuouscirclearounditandher

forefinger slips into the depression of her belly button. She continues to listen to Arjun who is still

sayingsomething.‘...Iwanttoblowawarmpuffofbreathintoit.AndIwanttoblowitfaraboveyourstomach.’With her finger she draws an imaginary line above her navel. The moment her fingers meet the

baselineofhertop,hereyesopen.Arjunisstillcontinuingtotalk.Thistimehermindwinsthebattle.‘Alright.Stop!’Shecatchesherbreathandtakesamomenttocalmdown.‘Whathappened?’Acoupleofsecondspass.‘Ican’tjust...I...’‘Areyouembarrassed?DidIembarrassyou?’‘No, you didn’t. I am not embarrassed. But I guess I am shy.’ Again amoment of silence passes

betweenthem.‘Hmm...it’sfine.’‘Iamsorry,Arjun.’‘Hey!It’sokay.Relax.’‘Youhateme.Don’tyou?’‘Iloveyou.’Hiswordsbringhercomfort.Sheisfeelinglighterandmoreopenaboutit.‘ButIlovedallthatyouweredoing,eventhoughitwasallinmyimagination.Justlikemagic.’‘Wellthen,whydidyoustopmeinthemiddle?’‘Hmm...Idon’tknow.MaybebecauseasmuchasIenjoyedtheimaginationpartofit,Iwasalso

consciousofyourpresence,eventhoughyouareonlyonthephone.Imean...I...don’tknowexactly.Iguess...Iguess,Ienjoyedthevirtualyou,butthenthefactthattherealyouwasabletolistentomeandthatIwasreactingtoyourvoice...sortofinterferedwithmythoughts.AmImakinganysense?’‘Wow!That’ssocomplex.Butanyway...’helaughed.‘Listen,Idon’twanttosoundlikeahypocrite.IacceptthatIenjoyedit.Butthen...’‘Haha.Chill,girl!Iknowyouaren’tahypocrite.Sostopjustifyingyourself.’‘Hmm...MaybeIwillneedsometimetoopenup.’‘SoshallIcallyouinhalfanhour?’‘Arjun!’‘Okay.Okay.Relax.’Aftertalkingforawhileshehangsupthecall.Sheturnsinherbedandlooksatthetableclock.It’s

6.30a.m.Thereisstillsometimebeforeshehastogetup.ShethenstaresatthevacantbedonSaloni’sside.Shehadleftforherparents’housethenightbeforetoattendaget-together.Shethinksabouthowherroommate’sabsencehasallowedheraprivateromanticmomentwithArjun.Then she begins to recall her conversation with Arjun. The way her Arjun was in the process of

sketchinghisdesiresonthecanvasofherbody.Exactlyinthesamesequence.Shecloseshereyesandtouchesherselfagain.SheimaginesArjunbyherside,andinherbed.SheimagineshimslidingherT-shirtup.SheimaginesherhandtobeArjun’shand.SheimaginesArjunseeingherbody.Andthistime,shedoesn’tstopinthemiddle.

Twenty-Four

Whendusk fell, the roadsofnorthcampusdipped intodarkness thatwas thenbravelybattledby theglowingyellowstreetlights.Therewasanunusualbreezeblowing. Itappeared thatatanymoment itcouldtaketheshapeofaduststorm.Theskywascloudy,butnotcloudyenoughtoforeboderain.Outsidehercollegecampus,Rupaliwalkedaloneononeof the roads that led towhereArjunwas

supposed to pick her up from.Hewas supposed to take her to his home for an early dinner that hehimselfhadcookedforher.Exceptforafewstudentsshecrossedontheway,theroadwasquiteempty.WantingtolookherbestandonArjun’srequest,sheworethesalwarsuitthatshehadwornonher

firstdaytocollege—apinkkurtiwithwhitechuridar.Shehadrarelywornthesetandeventenmonthslateritlookedasifitwasbrandnew.Rupaliworeapairofnewsilverearrings,theglitterfromwhichsparkledonhercheeks.Hersandalswerewhite,matchingherdupattawhichtimeandagaincaughtthegentlebreeze.AsshewaitedforArjun,herexcitementbuildingupwithinher,sheraisedherwristandsniffedit.SalonihadlentRupaliherperfumeandeverytimeshesmelledit,shefelthappyandthankfulaboutit.‘Try it, babes. It will hypnotize your man!’ Saloni had said. Rupali smiled as she recalled those

words.Shesmellednice.Justthen,frombehindher,afast-movingvanabruptlycametoascreechinghaltrightbesideher.Thedoorslidopen.Twomenjumpedoutofit,grabbedRupalibyherarmsandpulledherintothecar.Thedoorsofthevanclosedjustasquickly.Thedriveracceleratedthevehicleandforabriefmoment,thetyresrotatedextremelyfastandthrewupsomedirtfromtheroad.Then,inaflash,thevanspedawayfromthatstretchoftheroad.Itallhappenedintheblinkofaneye,givingabsolutelynotimetoRupalitoevenreact.Evenbefore

shecouldshout,evenbeforeshecouldretaliateorunderstandwhatwashappening,Rupaliwasinsidethemovingvanwithallitsdoorslocked.Onthedimlylitstreet,afewstudentscheckedwitheachotherifwhattheyhadjustseenhadactually

happened.Rupali’sfirstreactionwastoscream.Shescreamedherheartout.Simultaneously,shetriedtoreach

outforthehandleoftheslidingdoorofthevan—butinvain.Shewasnotstrongorquickenough.Theguyonherleftimmediatelyoverpoweredherandpulledherback.Rupalistruggledagain,butcouldnotmoveherhandsbyevenaninch.Instead,thesameguypushedherarmsbehindherbackandtiedthemwitharope.Rupaliscreamedevenlouderand,gatheringallherstrength,shetriedtoliftherbodyandpushherselfawayfromthem.Butcaughtinbetweentwoguysshehadnowheretogo.Allshecoulddowaskeepstrugglingandscreaming.Shetriedtolookforpeopleontheroad.Shewonderedifhershoutswouldgrabsomeone’sattention—anyone’sattention.But thewindowsof thevanwere tintedand thevanwasswervingfromonesidetoanother,soitseemedveryunlikely.Withherheartpounding,Rupalilookedaroundher.Besidesthetwoguysonthebackseat,twomore

mensatinfront.Oneofthemwasthedriver.Rupalicouldnotseetheirfacesclearly,butshewassurethatshehadn’tseenanyofthembefore.However,fromtheirshabbyclothes,bodylanguageandlittlebitofconversation,theyappearedtobelocalgoons.Themomentherbrainregisteredwhathadjusthappenedwithher,andunderstoodthehorrorofthe

situation,shepanicked.Herbreathingbecameheavy.Inanefforttocalmherselfdownshetookstockofthesituationshewasin.Shewasbleedingfromherrightanklethathadgothurtwhenthetwomenhadpulledherinside.Herfeethadbeendraggedagainsttheedgeofthevan.Thestrapofherrightsandalhad torn off.Her arms,where themenhaddug their fingers to lift her up, hurt terribly.Therewerespecksofdirtonherwhitedupatta,whichwasnowhaphazardlystretchedacrossherneck.

‘Bablooiskepursemeinsemobilenikalkeswitchoffkarpehle.Firmuhbandkarsaalika!’(Searchherpurseforhermobileandswitchitofffirst.Thenshutherdamnmouth!)theguyontheseatnexttothedrivershouted.Hiscommandwasimmediatelyfollowed.Theguyontheleftquicklysearchedherpurse,switched

offhermobileandtookallthecashhecouldfind.Hethenthrewitbehindtheseat.Rupalicouldonlywatchas theotherguyhadhishandpressedonhermouth.Thetightgriphehadonherfaceandthestinkofhisdirtyhandnearlymadeherchoke.Rupalicontinuedtostrugglebutshewasfastlosingthisbattleofstrength.Thevanwasnowspeedingonastraightroad.Itseemedlikeitwasheadingoutofthecity.Theguy

next to thedriverwasgiving thedirections.Atonepointhecalledsomeoneup fromhismobileandupdatedthepersonabouthislocationaswellasthestatusofthings.Whenallherenergyhaddrainedout,Rupaliclosedhereyes.Noticingthatshe’dstoppedstruggling,

theguywhowasholdingherloosenedhisgrip.Withthat,Rupali’sthoughtsbecameclearer.Shebegantowonderwhothesepeoplewereandwhattheywantedfromher.Sheusedtheopportunitytheloosegripprovidedherandaskedinapantingbrokenvoice,‘Kaunhain

aaplog?’(Whoareyou?)Noonereplied.Sosherepeatedherquestion.‘Yehjaannatereliyezaroorinahihai,’(That’snoneofyourbusiness)theotherguyonthebackseat

announcedangrily.Rupalibecamerestless.Shereachedouttotheguysonthefrontseatandpleaded,‘Butwhyhaveyou

pickedmeup?Youcouldhavebeenmistaken!’Hearing that, the guy next to the driver turned around. He switched on the overhead light in the

vehicletoshowhisface,‘It’syouwhohadmadethemistakeofmessingwithMahajan,’hesaidcoldlyandshowedherhismobileonwhichhehadherphotograph.AchillrandownRupali’sspine.Soshereallyhadbeenkidnappedbythesegoons!Shestaredattheman—hehadalongbeardedfacewithlargeeyesthatalmostpoppedoutofhishead.

Ahugeredtikarandownhiswheatishforehead.Hehadlonghairandworeanearringinhisrightear.His eyes were bloodshot and his breath had the pungent smell of cheap alcohol. He stared back atRupaliandgrinned,scaringthehelloutofher.Hethenraisedhishandandpassedonaquarterbottleofalcoholtohiscompanionsattheback.Thenheswitchedoffthelight.Rupali’sbreathwascaughtinherthroatasshesatscaredshit.‘Wha...wha...Whatareyou...huh...huh...goingtodo?’shestammered.Thenshebeganto

sobloudly,‘Please,Ibegyou,letmego...please...’‘Shutup,’saidthemaninfront.Theyignoredherpleadingandcontinuedtodrink.Takingadvantageoftheirmomentarylackofattention,Rupalibitatthewristoftheguywhohadhis

arms aroundher body.Theguy screamed inpain.Rupali didn’t releasehis hand till he loosenedhishold.Thenshethrewherselfovertheothermaninanattempttoreachforthewindowpane.Itappearedasifshehadgainedsomeenergyinthepastfewminutesandthatnowshewasutilizingit

tothefullestpossibleextent.Shehitherforeheadagainstthewindow,attemptingtobreaktheglass.Sheshoutedhard,prayingthatsomeoneoutsidewouldhearher.Theotherguytriedtopullherback.Heheldherbytheneck.Rupaliresistedandshriekedherlungs

out.Shekickedandshovedtheotherguy.Everylimb,everymuscleofherbodymovedinprotest.Butunfortunately,Rupali’sstruggledidn’tlastfortoolong.Allofitledtonothing.Herscreamswere

buriedunder thevolumeof themusic that thedriver in the fronthad increased.Outside those tintedglasses,theroadstretchedandstretched—therewasnoonearoundonthatdeadcoldnight.Anotherscreamescapedfromherthroatbeforeshecollapsedintotears.Shewasscaredandshaking.

Whatcouldshedonow?Wasanybodylookingforher?DidArjunknow?

‘Whereareyou,Rupali?’Arjunwas thinkingaloud.Hehadarrivedabit late,expectingRupali tobeangrywithhim,buthadfoundnoone.Hecheckedhismobiletoseeiftherewasamessage.ThenhecalledonRupali’scellphonethinkingthatshemighthavegonebacktothehostel—itwasswitchedoff.‘ComeonRupali,callme!’hesaiddesperatelyandtriedhernumberagain.

‘Shutup!Justshutup!’theguyonthefrontseatscreamed.WhenRupalididn’tstop,theguynexttoherheldherhairinhisfistandpulledherwithajerk.TheimpactwassuchthatRupali’sentirebodygotpulledbackandthebackofherheadcollidedwiththeothersideofthevan.Rupaliscreamed.When,afewsecondslater,shedidn’tstopshrieking,theguylosthiscool.Heslappedherbrutally.It

stunnedRupali.Heslappedheragain.Andagain.Andagain.Andagain.Andthenagain.PoorRupalicouldnotevenbringherhandsuptoherfacetoprotectherself.Theywerestilltiedbehindherback.Rupalifeltherfacegonumbandbloodspilledoutofherlips.Whatshedidnotknowwasthather

lipsandherrighteyewereswollen.Allshecouldfeelwaspain,intensepain.‘Whereareyou,Arjun?Whycan’tyoufindme?Pleasecomeandtakemeaway...’shepleadedsilently.

HavingspentaconsiderableamountoftimetryingandfailingtocallRupalionherphone,Arjunfinallyreachedherhostel.NeverbeforehadRupalimadehimwait.Notforthislong.Ifanything,shewouldcall him up and update him. And she would’ve never switched off her phone. She always kept itchargedandreadyincaseherfamilycalled.At her hostel, Arjun somehow managed to get hold of Saloni. He believed Saloni would know

Rupali’swhereabouts.ButjustlikeArjun,Salonitoodidn’thaveanyclue.‘Butsheshouldbewithyou.Sheleftthehostelaboutanhourandahalfback,’shesaid.Arjunhithisfistonhisbikeinfrustration.Hewasseriouslyworriednow.Heknewhowinfamousthe

citywas.Ayounggirl—alone—walkinginthedark—phoneswitchedoff,theywerenotgoodsigns.‘Didshetakeanauto?’heasked,somethingsuddenlystrikinghim.‘Therewasn’tanyautohereatthattime.IsteppedoutalongwithherasIwasheadingtowardsthe

basketballcourt.Notsureifshewouldhavetakenonefromthenextcircle.Butmybestguessisshewon’ttakeanautofromthenextcirclebecausefromthereit’swalkable,’Salonirespondedworriedly.ShetoohadcalledonRupali’snumberseveraltimes.ShedirectedArjuntofollowtheroutesheknew

Rupalihadtaken.Somethingwasn’tquiteright,Arjun’ssensestoldhimrepeatedly.Hefeltrestless,asifsomethingbad

wasgoingtohappen,asiftherewassomethingheneededtodo.‘Iwillfollowthesameroadandlookforher.Meanwhile,youpleasecallupyourcommonfriends

whomighthaveanyknowledgeofherwhereabouts.Ifyougetanynewscallme.’‘Yes,Iwill.Andifyoufindher,immediatelycallmeback.’

ThevanstoppedatwhatappearedtobeanabandonedbuildingontheoutskirtsofDelhi.Itwasamillthat had shut down many years back. Wild bushes stood tall amid the broken concrete structures.Creepers ran over the layer of foundation stones and at places clung to the walls. There was deadsilence. Themoonlight faintly illuminated the place. There was no other source of light. The placelookedhaunted.Twoof themensteppedoutof thevehicleandwalkedaroundtotakestockof theplace,while the

personnexttoRupalisatholdinghermouth.Theyweredrunk,butthey’drememberedtobecautious.Thetwowhohadgoneforareccecamebackandnodded.Themenhadgonetochooseapreferredcornerofthemill.Theyzeroedinontheotherside,wherea

renovationworkwasleft in themiddle.Apartiallybuiltstructurewithonlyfoundationwallsrosetill

kneelengthandthepillarsinthefourcornersroseupwards.Atthetopendofthecolumns,ironrodscreptoutandwereleftuncovered.Apartfromapileofconcreteandastackofbricks,therewasheapofsand,whichcaughttheirattention.Theyverifiedthatnootherhumanwaspresentatthesite.Rupali’sheartpoundedinherchestbutherweakbodycouldnotsupporther.Herheadwashurting

badly.Thecontinuoustortureandthefearthatsomethingdreadfulwasgoingtohappenhadmadehermouthgodry.Shewasthirsty.Themannexttohertuggedathertogethertomove.Thedoorhadbeenopened.WhenRupalitried

to resist, he again caught her by her hair and pulled her along. Her feet were dragged through theunevenground.Atonepoint,shefelldownonherknees.Shecriedinpainandbeggedthementoleaveher.Shefelldownontheirfeetandrequestedformercy.Sheremindedthemoftheirmothersandsistersbackathome.Butthenshewaspleadingtoheartlessmen.Worse,theyweredrunk,aswell.ThemantheycalledBablookickedherhand,caughtherbyherrightarmanddraggedheron.Rupali’sdupattagot stuck in a bush as her body continued to get dragged away from it. She kept crying. She keptbegging.At the site, theman threwRupali onamountainof sandand stuffedhermouthwith a thickdirty

cloth.That’swhenherheartsankandhermindwentblankwithfear.She heard them talk softly with each other. Then their leader, the one who had been directing

everything,stoodaboveRupali.HetookabigswigofalcoholwhilehestaredatRupali.Therewasastonyblanknessinhiseyes,asifhehadnofeelings.SomethingwithinRupalidiedatthatverymoment.Bhaiyaji pushed himself insideRupali.Rupali’s eyes splitwide open in a flash.Her lifeless body

throbbedforafractionofasecond.Shescreamedandgavevoicetoherunbearableagony.Over Bhaiyaji’s shoulder, Rupali stared into themoonlit quiet vast black andwhite sky. Perhaps,

therewasaGodbeyondthatinfiniteskywhowaslookingatherinthatmoment.Lookingatherandstilldoingnothing.Absolutelynothing.And every time her body felt a thrust it burrowed further into the sand. And every time that

happened,tinygravelsofsandrolleddownthepile.Rupali’smotionlesseyescontinuedtolookintotheinfinitesky,butonlyforabriefperiodafterwhichsheturnedunconscious.And then it began. Itwas all a blur—her clothes being torn off, the excruciatingpain, the scream

dyinginherthroat,herchoking,thepaingrowing,thefaceschangingbutthepainstillbeingthere—andthenherfaintingandregainingconsciousness.Againandagainandyetagain.Tilltherewasnothingleftofherexceptableedingbodyandavacantstare.ThesweatfromtheirforeheadfelloverRupali’seyesandherlips.Sandclungontoherhairandthe

sidesofherbody.Inbetweenherthighs,apatchofsandgotsoakedinblood.Itwasherblood.Itdidn’tmattertothesavagesblindedbylustandoverpoweredbyalcohol.Theycontinuedtotearherapart.Abeautifulinnocentsoulhadbeentornapart.Theonewhohadalwaysstoodfortherightthinghad

beenbadlywronged.

Arjunstoodaloneontheroadwhenhisphonerang.ItwasSaloni.‘AnynewsofRupali,Arjun?’shewassobbing.‘No,’hesighed.Behindhimwerehisfriendswhohadreturnedaftersearchingineverypossibledirection.Allofthem

hadbeenstunnedintosilence.Infrontofhimtheroadstretchedintothedistance.‘Whereareyou,mylove?’hesighedexasperatedlyintothedarknight.Thesilencesurroundingthem

wasdreadful.

Twenty-Five

Twenty-fourhourslater...‘The patient was brought in unconscious. The initial tests have confirmed rape. Plus she had

gruesomeinjuries.Theideawastoleaveherunrecognizablesoshewouldn’tbeabletogiveastatementifshesurvived.‘Shehadafracturedskullandsustainedsevereheadinjuriesthatledtobloodclottinginherbrain.It

appearedshehadbeenhitontheheadbyeitherabrickorsomethingheavy.Thereisalsoapossibilitythat someone smashed an alcohol bottle over her head.Looks like themenwho rapedher had beendrinking.Afterrapinghertheytriedtokillher.Undertheinfluenceofalcoholtheywouldn’thavebeenabletomakeoutifshewasdeadornot.Eitherway,theylefthertodie.‘Shehadn’tsuccumbedtoher injuries.Butshecouldn’tbecalledaliveeither.Thebarbarityof the

crimehasshockedus.Thepatientsufferedverydeepcutsonherleftbreastandbothherthighs.Thisledtosignificantbloodlossfromherbody.Butworstofallwerethecutsonandaroundherprivatepartsthathavebeendisfiguredbeyondimagination.Itappearstheystabbedhermorethanoncethere.‘Aspartof the first surgery, several tinypiecesofglasshavebeenpulledoutofherprivateparts.

Moresurgeriesmaybeperformed,butonlywhenherconditionstabilizes.‘In addition, one more round of surgery has been performed to treat her head injury. So far, the

patienthasn’trespondedtoit.Evenaftersixteenhours,herconditionisunstableandverycritical.Thepatientcontinuestobeunconsciousandnothingcanbesaidunlesssheregainsconsciousness.Ontwooccasions,foracoupleofseconds,herbodyshowedsomemovementsindistress.Thosewerearesultofthetraumathatherbraincontinuestobein.Threeunitsofbloodhavealreadybeentransfusedandtwomoreunitsarescheduledfortheday.’That’salltheteamofdoctorshadtosay.Afterthebrieffromthemedicalteamthathadgatheredfor

thepressconferencewasover,itwastheturnofthepolicecommissionerofDelhitoupdatethemediaontheprogressofthecase.‘Afewmenfromtheslumnearwherethiscrimetookplacehappenedtodiscoverthevictimwhen

theyweretryingtotakeashortcuttotheirhomes.Seeingher,theyimmediatelycalled100.AnFIRwaslodged on the very night the victimwas brought to the hospital. Prima facie it’s a case of rape andattempttomurder.Noeyewitnesshasturnedupsofar.Butthesamemenwhocalledustoldusaboutseeing a white van speeding away on the road nearby, moments before they stepped inside thedilapidated building. They said it was the only vehicle on that abandoned road and the driver wasdrivingrashly.‘Duringourinitialinvestigation,oneboytalkedabouthavingseenawhitevan,aroundthetimeofthe

girl’s disappearance, suddenly stopping on the roads ofNorthCampus and pulling a girl in. From adistance,hecouldnotnotice thevehiclenumber.Hecouldn’tevenconfirmif thatwasaprankoranactualabduction.Thisisthesameroadwherethevictimwassupposedlyonasperherclosefriends.‘Rightnow,CCTV footage in andaroundNorthCampus isbeing scanned to trace thiswhitevan.

Thereisastrongchancethatthisvanisthesameastheonetheslumdwellershadseen.Themomenttheregistrationnumberofthisvehicleisobtained,therewon’tbeanydelayinnabbingtheperpetratorsofthiscrime.’The teamof doctors atAIIMSand theDelhi police took somequestions from themedia that had

gathered,afterwhichthepressconferencegotadjourned.Inthenextfewhours,thebrutalandheinousgangrapeofaDUgirlhadbecomebreakingnewsinthe

nationalmedia.Andinthosestories,Rupali,whowasstillalivingbeing,lostheridentity.

Inthemedicalvocabularyshebecameapatient.In the terminologyof lawandordershebecameavictim. In the languageof themedia,shewasa

rapesurvivor.Andunfortunately fora largepartof India, shehadbecome impure;an impurity thatcouldnotbe

undone by anymeans.A stigmawas now attached, embedded in her and had become a part of herexistence.Even though she had neverwanted it.Even though she had resisted it.Unfortunately, shewouldhavetolivewithit—ifshesurvived.Andsothattheextentofherignominycouldbeminimized,shewasrobbedofherownidentity,ofherrealnameinthosemediastories.Thehorrorofthismonstrouscrimecaughtpeople’sattention.Itshooktheirconscienceinawaythat

they not only condemned it, but alsowanted to do something about it. Itmade their bloodboil in amannerthathadneverhappenedinthepast.Itinvitedoutragefromacrossthecountry.Itmadewayfora million voices that further led to an uproar across the length and breadth of the country. Peoplequestioned the law andorder in the country and especially in the national capital.Therewere angrydiscussions on what the society had become. And then there were prayers for the girl who wasstrugglingbetweenlifeanddeath.

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Theoutrageagainstthecrimecontinuedtogrow.Somuchso,thatitspilledontothestreets.StudentswhoselivesRupalihadbeenapartof—Tenzingandhismusicclubmembers,Saloniandherbatchoffriends,Arjun’spoliticalgroup,andRaheema—hadallcometogethertomobilizethecrowd.Theywereangryandtheirangertookoverthewholecollegeandthentheuniversity,andthenslowlyconsumedthecity.Thescenewassimilarateachandeveryepicentreofprotest.Thegatheringatthevastspaceinfront

ofRashtrapatiBhavanwas the biggest of all, seeingwhich theRapidActionForce (RAF)hadbeeninstallednexttothestatepolice.Fromteargaspistolstowatercannons,thelawandordermachineryhadprepareditselftodealwiththesituationathand.A gathering of thousands at this one place was a sight to behold. Every single sound, be it the

frequentvoicesover thehundredsofwalkie-talkies in thehandsof cops, thecentralized loudspeakerinstalledovertheRAF’sVajrvan,orthenewsjournalistsreportinglive,allofitaddedtothechaos.Buttheonesoundthatdominatedandsuppressedeveryotherwasthethumpinghumofthecrowd.Itremainedundefeated.Trafficthateveninghadcometoacompletestandstill.Onafewkeyroadsthatledtotheepicentres

of the protest, the only vehicles allowed to enter were either the media vans or the police patrols.Everythingelsewasinadeadlock.Thencamethemomentwhenthemuch-anticipatedoccurrencehappened.Itrained.Heavily.Largedrops thatwerepowerful enough to disperse the crowd, tomakepeople run away from the

openstreetsandseek thenearestshelter, fell insheets.Thescenebecameevenbleaker.Yet itwasn’tabletobreakthenewfoundwillofthisnation’syouthstandingunitedforacause.Howcouldaspellofrainbreakthosewho’dalreadypreparedthemselvestofacethemonstrouswatercannons?Besides,theywereanywaywaitingfortherain...

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Things had changed.But not for the better. They had further deteriorated.The tests thatwere beingconductedatregularintervalsexhibitedthis.Thenumbersonthetestreports,whichweresupposedtobe closer to the normal range,were instead drifting away—some far below theminimum, some farabovethemaximumlimits.MorepowerfuldrugsandhigherdoseshadmadetheirwayintothearsenalofthenursesintheICU.Thedoctorsdidn’thavemuchtosay.Sofar,atdifferentpointsintime,theyhadsaidthesamething

inmanydifferentways, just tomake itdifferent fromwhat theyhadsaidbefore, just tomake it lesspainful to absorb, just to keep the hopes alive. But beyond a point, you don’t have much to say,especiallywhenthetestreportssayitall.Thedoctorshadneverpromisedthemoon,butnowtheywerenotevenshowingthesilverlining.So

theyresortedtotheirdefaultstatement.‘Wearedoingourbest.AndeverythingelseisinthehandsofGod.’Nowonderthewallsofhospitalshearmoreprayersthanthoseofchurches.ButArjunwasnotsure

whetherhewasgoing topinoneofhisown to thewallsof the ICU inAIIMS. Ifeverythingwas inGod’shands,thenwhathadhappenedtothegirlhelovedwasalsothesameGod’swill.WhydidHeletthathappeninthefirstplace?Whatwronghadshedoneforwhichshedeservedtobecomeafeastforthosemonsters?Whyhadnobodycometosaveher?Onceagain,thehigherpowerhadfailedhim.Hewasn’tsurewhetherheshouldbegGodtosaveherorholdhimresponsiblefortheeventsthathad

takenplaceinthepastsixtyhours.Sohedidboth.That’sthenatureofatragedythatthreatenstotakeaway the precious love of your life. Itmakes you do anything and everything, and sometimes evencontradictorythings.SoheabusedtheGodinwhomRupalibelievedinandappealedtohimaswell.Frustrationandhelplessness took its tollonhismind.Hunger and sleephad longescapedhis life.

Even thoughhis bodydemanded them, his heart andmindwere not at peace to look after his body.Whatever little rest he had got on the bench outside the ICU the night beforemade him evenmorerestless.Hehadnightmares—ofdoctorsandnursesrunningandtryingtosaveRupali.ThevisualofherlyingunconsciousontheICUbed,withadozentubespiercingherbodyneverlefthiminpeace.Itwasexactlythewayhehadseenher,earlierintheday,whenhewasallowedtostepinsidetheICU.Shewasputon lifesupport system, thedoctorshad toldhim.Machineswerekeepingherbodyalive.A thicktubethatwasexternallyconnectedtoaventilatorraninsiderhermouth,anotheroneraninsideherrightnostril, then therewas onemore than penetrated inside her neck.He had seen those units of saline,bloodandsedativesthathungoverherhead.Theurinebagthatwastiedtoacornerofherbedandthatwhite bedsheet overwhich showed the patches of blood that time and againwas seeping out of herdressing.Hehad seen themonitorbehindherbed thatwas continuouslygeneratingnumerousmulti-colouredgraphs—hehadnoideahowtoreadthem.Butsomethinginthemtoldhimthatthingswerenotwell.Andthentherewasthiscontinuousbeepgeneratingfromthemonitoringmachinethatmadethisentireset-uplooksodelicateandcritical.Thosebeepscontinuedtoechoinhisdreams.Hewantedtorunawayfromthem.ThenheheardRupaliindistress,callingouttohim.Heheardmenaroundher.Hewantedtosaveher.Butforsomereason,hecouldnotmakeoutfromwhichdirectionhervoicewascoming.Hewokeupsuddenly,ascreamdiedinhisthroatashesawthesurroundingsofthehospital.Ontheonehand,hewasburningfrominsidetoavengeRupali’smisery;ontheother,Rupali’scritical

conditionwastestinghisendurance.Awfulangerandconstantfearhadmadetheirspaceinhisheart.Acombinationofbothwasmorebitterthananythinghehadfeltbefore.Itmadehislifemiserableand,toadd to it, time crawled and tested his patience. Even after two days, there were no answers to hisquestions;therewasnoendtohissuffering.Insomemomentswhenhecouldn’tdigestthehorrificrealityofwhathadhappenedtohislove,his

bloodboiled.Hewantedtohelphisclosefriendswhohadjoinedthepoliceintryingtohuntdownthecriminals, thebeasts.Hewanted to joinhis agitatedpartymemberswhohad called themassprotestagainstthesystemdemandingjustice.Buteverytimehethoughtaboutit,heimaginedhisworstfearscomingtrue.HeimaginedRupalisuddenlywantinghimthereandhimnotbeingaround.Andthatmadehimstepback.‘Whatdoyoumeanyoucan’tsay?Haan?Whatdoyoumeanyoucan’tsay?’Arjunshoutedinanger

andjumpedatthedoctor.‘Whenwillsheopenhereyes?Youareadoctorbutyoucan’tsay?’‘MrArjun,IunderstandyourmentalconditionbutI’mafraidwedon’thaveanyanswersatthisstage

...’‘Thenwhodoes!Whothehelldoes!’Arjunhadlosthiscool.‘Arjun!Arjun!No!No!No!Hold yourself back,Arjun!’Madhab pulled him backwhile he kept

apologizingtothedoctoronhisfriend’sbehalf.Arjunkeptaskinghisquestioninadaze,‘Sheisgoingtosurvive,right?You’dbettertellmeifsheis

dying.’‘Arjun,shutup!Calmdown,Arjun!ARJUN!!SHUTUP!’Madhabpushedhimtothewall tostop

him.‘Youarenotgoingtoloseit.Allright?Youarenotgoingtoloseit,myfriend.Havesomefaith.’Madhablookedintohiseyes.ThereweretearsinArjun’seyes.Hesighed.Awardboyarrivedandstoodnext tothem.‘Youcancollect thepatient’sclothesinroomno.204.

That’sthelaundryroomneartheEmergency.’ThoseweretheclothesRupaliwaswearingthenightshewasbroughtintotheemergencyward.The

copshadaskedforforensictestsonthem.‘Youmust positively claim them today, as we dispose of the patient’s clothes after three days of

admittingthem,’thewardboyadded.Madhab nodded.He askedArjun to have a glass ofwater by the time hewent and collected the

clothes.Arjunwipedhistears.‘I’llgo.TheyareRupali’sclothes.Ishouldgo.’Andtheyhuggedeachother.ThenArjunaskedMadhabtocheckonRupali’sparentswhowereduetoarriveanytime.‘Saloniis

gettingthemhere.Youtakecareofthem,Iwillbeback,’Arjunsaidwhileleavingtotaketheelevator.In room no. 204 a heart-wrenchingmoment awaitedArjun. Themoment he entered the room, he

foundhimselfsurroundedbypilesoftowels,bedsheetsandcushions.Hewalkedaroundinashockedstate,lookingforwhathewastherefor.That’swhenahousekeepingladyenteredtheroomand,onseeingArjun,sheshoutedfromadistance,

‘Yesmister?’Arjunimmediatelyreachedouttoher.Aftertakingthepatient’sinformationshetookafewsecondstocheckherrecordbook,afterwhich

shepointedattheextremerightcorneroftheroom.Arjunnoticedsmallerpilesofclotheskeptonlargeplastictrays.Thereweretagsattachedtoeachof

the trays. From the bed numbers mentioned on every tag, he understood that they all belonged tovariouspatients in the ICU.The sight of thosepilesof clothes, of peoplewhomhedidn’t knowbutcouldempathizewith,disturbedhim.Hesighed.They would all have been brought in a terrible condition to the emergency ward, he thought to

himself.Didtheysurvive?Orwashelookingatdeadpeople’sclothes?No,no,theyareallalive.Theywillallbewell,heansweredtohimself.Suddenly,hiseyesfellonatagthatmentionedabednumberhewasfamiliarwith.Heimmediately

lookedattheclothesandrecalledhowhehadaskedRupalitowearthatdress.ThethoughtofRupaliwearingthatsalwarsuittopleasehimmadehimemotional.‘Shewouldhavewornthisformysake,to

makemehappy,’herealized.Theverydresshewantedtoseeherin,wouldhavebeenforcefullytakenoffherbodybythosemenwhomhedidn’tknow,hethoughtinagony.Theironymadehimweakonhisknees.Theclotheswerenearlyinshredsandcoveredinmudanddriedblood.Thewhitechuridarwassoiled

withdirtandnowappearedcreamandbrown.Whenhestretchedit inbothhishands,thevisualofitstabbedhischest.Apoolofbloodhaddriedatitscentreaswellasonbothsidesoftheupperportionofthelegs.ItwasRupali’sblood;hisbeloved’sblood.Hesawhowitwastornofffromthemiddle.Whenhetriedtopickuptheclothes,adirtywhitesandalrolledout.Hedidn’tfindtheotherone.ThehousekeepingladystoppedbehindArjun,‘Thisisallthatcamealongwithher,’shesaidinasoft

voice.EveryinchofRupali’sclothesnarratedtheheart-breakingstoryofwhathadhappenedwithhersome

sixty hours back. Along with them, they brought the horror of that night. They had witnessed theinjustice.Arjungrabbedallherclotheswithbothhishands.Andthat’swhenitfellout—alittlegoldenheart

withasmallrubyonit.Hepickeditup.Itwashisgift—hisconfessionoflove!Herealizedwhathewasholdinginhishandswastheaftermathofsomethingsobrutal.Hisgirlfriend

hadtoundergoit.HottearsstreameddownhischeeksandfellonRupali’sbloodstainedclothes.Halfanhour later,whenArjunreached the ICU,Rupali’sparentsandherbrotherhad justarrived.

Salonitoohadwalkedinalongwiththem.MadhabintroducedArjuntothem.Fatehasitsowndestiny.NeverinhisweirdestdreamscouldArjunhavethoughtofmeetingRupali’s

parents like this. Not outside an ICU. Not holding her torn-off blood-soaked clothes stuffed in apolythenebag.NotwhenRupaliherselfwasn’ttheretointroducethem.Whatwillhetellthem?Howshallhetellthemwhattheirdaughter,whoisfightingalonelybattlewithdeath,meanstohim?SalonijumpedinandsaidArjunwasRupali’sclosestfriend.Arjunbentdowntotouchtheirfeet.Butthoseworriedsoulswerenottheretodifferentiatewhoamongthemwasclosesttotheirdaughter.

Eversincetheyhadgottheill-fatednewstheyhadbeenfightingwiththeirfears.Theydidn’trespond.Theycouldn’t.Afterasuddenlyplanneddayandahalf’sjourney,theywantedtoseeRupali.Theirtiredand sleep-deprived eyes wanted to get one glimpse of their daughter. They wanted to speak to thedoctorsandknowhowexactly theirdaughterwasdoing.Butbefore that, theyhad togo through theprocessofknowingthebitterreality.Tillthentheyhadbeenkeptinthedarkabouttherealcircumstances.Theyonlyknewthehalf-truth.

Overthephone,SalonihadsaidthatRupalihadmetwithanaccidentandthatherconditionwascritical.Shehadcookedup theaccidentpartonly to lessen their shock.Back then,when shehadcalled, thedoctors hadn’t confirmed anything. She hadn’t even seen Rupali. It was only later that they hadconfirmed rape.Salonididn’thave theguts to tell themanotherheartbreakingnews till they reachedDelhi.Moreover,itwasn’tgoingtochangeanythinginRupali’srecovery.Itwouldhavebeenaterribleshocktoherparents.Bythe timethemediabrokethenews,Rupali’sfamilyhadalreadyboardedthetrain.WithRupali’sidentitynotrevealed,therewasnowaytheycouldhavemadeoutthattheDUgirlin thenewspaperswasnoneother than theirownRupali.But the timehadcomewhen the completetruthhadtoberevealed.OnknowingthatRupali’sfamilyhadreached,oneofthedoctorsfromtheteamandaseniorinspector

arrived at the spot. They called Rupali’s parents into a closed chamber. When they saw Tanmayaccompanyingthem,theinspectorinsistedthathewaitoutsideforawhile.Lookingattheirexpressionsandgaugingtheatmosphere,thefearonthefacesofRupali’sparentsbegantotaketheworstofshapes.Meanwhile,Saloni tookTanmayalongwithher to the canteen.She thought she couldmakehimeatsomething.All hell broke loose the moment the truth was revealed in the closed chamber. Rupali’s mother

screamedoutinpain.Sherefusedtobelievethefactandkeptdenyingit.‘Aisa nahi ho sakta . . . aisa nahi ho sakta,’ (This can’t be true . . . this can’t be true) she kept

repeatingthosewordsindisbelief.Ittookawhileforthetruthtosinkin.Yetshekeptdenyingit.Perhaps,inrealityshewasn’tactually

denyingit,shewasdenyingconfrontingthosewords,therawrealityofthemoment.Everysubsequenttimesherepeatedherwords,thepitchofhervoicekeptgoingdown.Asenseofpainfulacceptanceofthetruthbeganemergingineverysubsequentdenialofhers.‘Meribachchi!Meribachchi!’(Mydaughter!Mydaughter!)cameoutofhermouth,afterwhichshe

couldn’tutteranything.Tearsmadetheirwayontothesurfaceofthetableatwhichshesat.Rupali’s father,who had been standing, lost his balance as soon as he heard the inspector.Arjun

jumpedtocatchhimandhelpedhimsitonthechairbehindhim.‘OhGod!OhGod!’Herfatherwailedandheldhisheadinhishands,cursinghisillfate.Theshockof

themomentdidn’tevenlethimcry.Hewantedto,butsomethingwithinhimchokedhimanddidn’tletthepainflowout.HeletRupali’smotherweep.Hedidn’tstopher.Hedidn’tevenlookatheratthatmoment.Theylookedcompletelyshocked.Thedoctorurgedthemtohavewater,butnoneofthemmoved.Tanmaywasn’tpresenttheretolookathisparentsgrievingovertheheartbreakingnews.Butthenhe

wasn’tcompletelyunaware.Hehadalreadygotasenseofthebitterreality.HehadconnectedthedotsmuchbeforehearrivedattheICUthatafternoon.Thefront-pagenewsofaDUgirl’srape,theICUatAIIMS,thedateshewasadmitted,themassprotestofthecollegestudentsoutsidethehospitalwherehehadoverheardhissister’snamewhensomeonehadshoutedatSaloniwhowasaccompanyingthemtothehospital.Hehadguesseditall.Looking at the flatscreen television installedononeof thewalls of the canteen and following the

breakingnewsofmassprotestfortheDUgangrape,TanmayfinallymanagedtopolitelyaskSaloni,‘Isthisaboutmysister?’His innocenteyesdidn’t leavethetelevisionscreenwhenheaskedthatquestion.Hehadaright to

knowwhathadhappenedtohissister.He had his fingers crossed. In his heart, he desperately pleaded that Saloni would rubbish his

thoughts.Butthatdidn’thappen;notinthenextmoment,notinthemomentsafterthenextmoment.Salonihuggedhim,tearsstreamingdownfromhereyes.Sofarshehadn’tcried.Shehadbeenbrave.

Butnowshecouldn’tstop.TanmaycouldhearSaloniweepingsecretly.Thatwashisanswer.Heuncrossedhisfingersanddidn’t

speakaword.Later,whenhemethisparentsagain,hedidn’taskthemasinglequestion.Hewassilentfortherestoftheday.Salonicouldn’tunderstandifthatwashiswaytodealwiththeshockorifhewasyettodealwithit.Backintheclosedchamber,afterSalonihadarrivedtherewithTanmay,Arjunthoughttheyneededto

givethefamilysomeprivatetime.Thesituationdemandedtime.Hewantedtoletthemabsorbthegravetruthofthemoment.JustthenMadhabcamerunningtoletArjunknowthattheprotestsoutsidethehospitalweregetting

outofcontrol.ArjunaskedSalonitolookafterRupali’sfamily.Hesaidhewouldbebacksoon.

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Protestshaderuptedinotherpartsofthecountry.Peoplewereextremelyannoyedattheever-increasingcrimeinsociety,particularlyagainstwomen.Andthisparticularincidenthadblownoffthelidoftheirpatience.ThebrutalitywithwhichRupalihadbeen rapedand left todiehad toucheda rawnerve inpeople.Theywanted stricter law andorder—not just on paper, but also in action.Theydemanded astringent judiciary, one that would deliver swifter justice. Status updates on Rupali’s health and theprogressofthecasebecametheregularcontentonallmedia—television,newspapersandradioalike.Forallthatwashappening,therulinggovernmentinthecapitalcameunderimmensepressure.Delhi

became highlighted as the crime capital of India. People held the government responsible for thecompletelapseoflawandorderinthesociety.Theywantedanswers.Theleadersofthepartywereleftred-faced.Answersweredemandedoneverysocialforum.TheOppositionpartiessawanopportunityinthewholethingandjumpedin,demandingtheresignationoftheleadersfromtherulingparty.Theirmotive,though,wastocapturethevotebankshiftingintheirfavour.Undermediapressureandfacingthewrathoftheentirecountry,thegovernmentwascertainlyplaced

onthebackfoot.ThestatetriedtopassthebucktotheCentre—becauseDelhipolicewascontrolledbytheCentre,thelaw-and-ordermachinerywasn’tundertheircontrol.TheleastitcoulddowastoensurethatthebestpossiblecarewasbeingprovidedtoRupali.Witheverypassinghour,thestoryoftheDUgirl’s rapewas gettingmore andmore of a politicalmakeover. From the homeminister to the chiefminister,aseriesofleaders,includingthosefromtheOpposition,hadpaidavisittoAIIMS.ItwasonlylateintheeveningthatArjungotbacktothehospital.Hehadthoughthewouldbeback

soonerbuttheagitationoutsidethehospitalpremiseskepthimbusy.Heandhispartyweredeterminedtokeeptheprotestson.Meanwhile,hehadpaidavisittohishometoseehismother,whowasequallyworriedaboutRupali.Shetoowantedtovisitthehospital,butArjunsuggestedthatshedoesthatonceRupaliregainsherconsciousness.Onhiswayback to thehospital,Arjunhadgot somefood forRupali’s family thathismotherhad

cooked.ArjunaskedSaloniandMadhabtoleave,thoughSaloniinsistedonstayingbackforsomemoretime

asImran,herboyfriend,wassupposedtopickherup.AtiredMadhabassuredArjunthathewasonlyacallawayandleft.InonecornerofthewaitingroomoutsidetheICU,Arjunarrangedasmalltableandpulledupafew

chairs. He placed the food and some disposable plates that he had got on the table. He then calledRupali’sparentstoeat.Rupali’sfamily,ArjunandSaloniweretheonlypeopleinthatspecialICUward.Theywerehungry,

though theirmindsdidn’t register it.Caught in themosthorribledayof their lives, foodwas the lastthing on theirminds.Rupali’smother resistedArjun’s invitation to eat something.The bite of breadwouldnotgodownherthroat,shesaid.Herfatherwantedtoseehischildopenhereyesandtalktohimforonce.Onlythenwouldhefeellikeeatingsomething.ButArjunkeptinsisting.Salonijoinedhim.‘WhenRupaligainsconsciousness,shewouldnotwanttoknowthatyoustarved.Ifyoueat,shewill

getwell.Pleaseeatforhersake,’shesaidandgavethemhope.Theyhalf-heartedlyagreedandmovedtowardsthetable.ArjunandSalonifollowedthemastheytalkedbetweenthemselves.‘Anyupdatesfromthedoctors?’ArjunaskedSaloni.Sheshookherhead.‘Didheeatanything?’heasked,pointingatTanmay.‘Asandwichatnoon,whenItookhimtothecanteen.Butnothingafterthat.Heisnottalking.Inthe

evening,when I cameback from thewashroom, I sawhim standing at the ICUdoor, trying topeepthroughthelittleglasswindow.It’squitedisturbingandpainfultoseehimthisway.’Arjunwalkedup toTanmayandgently ledhimto thefood.Acoupleofminutes later, theyallsat

aroundthetable.Rupali’smothertoreabiteofchapattiandpouredaspoonfulofcurryoverit.ShewasabouttohaveitwhenallofasuddentwonursescamesprintingtowardstheICU.TheypushedtheICUdoorwideapartandrushedinside.TwosurgeonscamerunningbehindthemandfollowedthemintotheICU.The bite of chapatti fell off Rupali’s mother’s hand. Everyone got up from their seats. They

immediatelyrushedtotheICU.Theyfoundthedoorwaslockedagainfrominside.Butthefamilykepttappingonthedoor,worriedaboutwhathadhappenedallofasudden.Throughasmallglasswindow,Arjunpeepedinside.ThecurtainssurroundingRupali’sbedhadbeen

pulledapart.Fromanangle,amidthechaosinsidetheICUhehappenedtoseeherintubatedface.HecouldseehisRupali—herfacebandaged,unrecognizable.Andthenhesawoneofthesurgeonsholdingtwopad-likedevicesinhishands.Hewasholdingonto

their handles. Therewas panic inside.He could not hear a singleword from behind the soundproofdoor.Thesurgeonsandnursespluggedvariousdevicesonandoffinajiffy.Anursewasbusypreparinganinjection.ThesurgeonpressedthosepadsagainstRupali’schest.Arjun’sheartbegantosink.He’dseenthisonlyinfilms.Hewatchedinfear.Rupali’smotionlessunconsciousbody jumpedon thebed.Therewasno response.Another shock.

Againnothing.Arjunfelthisworldswimaroundhim.

Twenty-Six

Rupalitookherlastbreathonthatfatefulnight.Theycouldnotsaveher.Aninnocentsouldepartedfromthemiseriesofhermutilatedbody.Herdearonesbelievedso,forit

made the realityminutely lessdifficult tobear.Perhaps, therefore, that nightwasn’t as fateful as thenightonwhichthehumanscavengershadtornherapart.Probably,shehaddiedthatverynightandforthenextthreenights,herunconsciousbodythatstillsomehowhadherheartbeatinginside,providedalittlecushion to theshockfor thepeoplewho lovedher.Anelementofhope,nomatterhowsmall itwas,thatshemaysurviveworkedasthatcushion.Shewouldneveropenhereyes;neverspeakagain;nevergobacktoherhomethatshehadonceleft

topursuehereducationfromherdreamcollege.Shewouldnevergrowold;herpicturesofyouthwouldmarktheendofherjourneyinthisworld.Theworsttimeinanyparent’slifeiswhentheyhavetocollectthecorpseoftheiryoungchildand

perform the last rites at the funeral. Rupali’s parents belonged to that ill-fated clan of parents. Fourunknownmendidn’tjustrapetheirdaughter.Theyalsorapedthem;theyrapedthemoftheirdaughter.Andfortherestoftheirlives,aslongastheylivedinthisworld,everyday,whentheywillwakeup,theywillhavetoconfrontthiscruelfact.Rupali’slifelessbodywascrematedatatimewhenthecityslept.Thepolicedidn’twantariot.Herparentsdecidedtotakeherasheshome,wheretheywouldimmerseitinthewatersoftheGanga.Alovestoryhadbeenleftincomplete.SheleftbehindahugevoidinArjun’slife—avoidthatcouldneverbefilled.Rupaliwasdifferent.

Shewasuniqueinherownway.Shehadnomatch.WhatalosstoalifelikethatofArjun’s!Alifethattillaweekbacklookedsopromising,hadsuddenlybeenshattered.OnlyArjunknewwhathewasgoingthrough.Unabletocallherup,tolistentohervoice,totouchher,hekeptpullingouteverytinymemoryhe could recall from the box of preciousmemories in hismind.But themore he tried to relive hermemories,themorealonehefelt.Themorealonehefelt,themorehetriedtorelivehermemories.Itwasallthemorepainfulatnight,whenhewasallalone,whentheworldsleptandhetossedand

turnedinhisbed,oftencryingtearsthatwouldleavethecoverofhispillowwet.Itwouldallflashbyinfrontofhisopeneyes.Thelittlethingsshewouldsaytomakehimfeelgood,

herthoughts,her...herrationale,herstands,herwishes,herdreams...herdreamofaDUwherenoRaheemawouldbemolestedagainbyanyMahajan...herdreamofasociety,whereinsteadofturningablindeye,peoplewouldcometogetherandstandforwhat’srightandagainstwhat’swrong. . .herdreams...herincompletedreams.Going over them again and again somewhere in his mind, Arjun had transported them all to his

thoughts. In her absence, those dreamswere becoming his own. It gave him some sort of solace tobelievethatway.Itofferedhimareasontolive;agoaltoachieve;ameaningtohislife.Leftaloneinthemiddleofanincompletelovestory,Arjuntookapledgetofightforjustice,foronly

thatwouldbringpeacetoRupali’ssoul.Itbecamethelargerpurposeofhislife.Arjundidn’tletRupalidieinpeople’smind.Hefoughtwiththesysteminhername.Andhewasn’t

alone.Hehadthesupportofhisparty.Hehadthesupportoftheentireuniversity.HehadthesupportofeveryIndianwhohadstartedbelievingthatwhathappenedwithRupalicanhappentoanyoneandthatenoughwasenough.Rupali’sdeathgavebirthtoamovement;amovementforchange;amovementtodemandstringent

lawsandtheirenforcement;amovementtocallforswifterjudiciary.ThreedaysafterRupali’sdeath, thepolicehadnabbedall thefouraccused. Inhisstatement to the

police,Bhaiyaji,theleader,admittedtorapingandattemptingtokillRupalialongwiththreeofhismen.Hewas a contract killer.He accepted that he receivedmoney fromMahajan to finishRupali. In hisstatement,BhaiyajialsoconfessedthathebelievedhehadkilledRupaliandthathewasunsurehowshehadsurvived.Beforethatdayended,Mahajanwhowasoutonbailwasbookedagain,thistimewithanon-bailable

warrantinanallegedmurdercaseregisteredagainsthim.Themediabrokethecompletenewsthattheentirecountryhadbeenwaitingfor.Butitdidn’tendthere.Itonlymarkedanewbeginningtoalonglongprocessofjudicialtrial;atrial

inwhichthecallwastotreatthiscaseasrarestofrareanddemanddeathpenaltyastheonlyjustice.Meanwhile,Salonihadplannedtomoveoutofherhostelbacktoherhome.Shedidn’twanttolivein

thatroomorforthatmatterinthathostelanymore.Shewasn’tpreparedtolivewithoutRupali.Beforeshe packed her own luggage, she packed everything that belonged to Rupali. Arjun was there too,waitingoutside.TheywouldsenditalltoRupali’sparents.ArjuncouldnotstandseeingRupali’sbelongingspacked.Theyagainbroughtbackmemories.

Epilogue

Itis4.00a.m.Arjunhasn’tbeenabletosleepthewholenight,andnow,hehasturnedonthelightsinhisroom.Heissittingonhisbed,supportinghisbackonacushion.Hislegsarestretchedoutinfrontofhim.Hiseyesaregluedtothescreenofhismobilephone.Alittlesmilemakesitswaytohislips.Unabletosleep,heisreadingalltheoldSMSesfromRupali

that are still present in hismessage box.Every SMS that he reads takes himback in time,whenhisRupaliwastherewithhim.TheoneheisreadingnowtakeshimbacktotheNewYear’sEvewhenhekissedRupaliforthefirst

time.Thememoriesflashbyinhismind.Heisrelivingthatmomentagain.Howherlipsfeltinbetweenhis!Drapedbyawonderful foggynight, that intimatemomentwhen, for the first time,hehad felt agirl’sbodyinhisarms.Theyhadsharedthewarmthofeachother’sbodiesonthatcoldnight.Itwasabeautiful,magicalmoment...Helooksoutsidehiswindowandhecanseethefaintlightofdawn.It’stodayagain.Thepresent!It’s

sodifferentfromthepast.Thepast!Itwillnevercomeback.Neverever!Thatlittlesmilethattookbirthonhislipshasvanishednow.Hescrollsdownthemessagebox.Afewmoremomentspass.Somethingmakeshim laugh this time.He reads themessageagainand then, thenextmoment, he

looksawayfromhisphone.‘Hell!Icouldn’tdoit.’Heistalkingtohimself.Andthenhespeaksagaininthedeadsilenceofthedawn,‘Butshedidit.’Heshakeshisheadindisbeliefand,atthesametime,admiresthegutsofthegirlheloved.Againa

smilemakesitswaytohislips.‘Afirstyeargirlproposedtoasenior!’hesaysandthinksaboutit.He continues to shake his head. The smile on his facewidens and soon changes into a grin. The

momentcomesalivebeforehim.Hisnervousnessandstammering,Rupali’sconfidentproposal...theplanesflyingabovethem,thenoiseoftraffic.Heislaughingnow.‘OhRupali!’hesays,missingherevenmore.Thepainresurfacesandhesuddenlychokesonhisown

words.Tearsrushdownhiseyes.Heissobbinghard,likeakid.‘OhRupali...’hescreamsinpain.Hehitsthebedwithhishands.Againandagaininfrustration.She’sgone...she’sgone...Hiseyesareredfromcrying.Thenathoughtstrikeshim.Thenoisemightwakehismotherup.He

doesn’twanthertohearhimcry.Hegrabsthecushionbehindhimandtightlyholdsittohischestandbitesithard.Itsuppresseshisscreams.Heweepsloudlyintoit.Hewantstoflushoutallhistearsinonego,sothathedoesn’thavetoshedthemagain,sothathe

doesn’thavetogothroughthisagainandagain.Slowly,heisabletoregaincontroloverhimself.Butheisbreathless.Hedropsthecushionandtakes

adeepbreath.Heiscalmernow.Hepicksuphiscellphoneagain.Hisweteyelashesblurhisvision.Hescrollsdownhismessagebox.

HearrivesatwhatlooksliketheveryfirstmessagefromRupaliinhismobilephone.Itdatesbacktotheeveningwhentheyhadsatonthelawnsoutsideherhostel.ItwastodiscussRaheema’scase.Herecallshowshehadsaid thatshewasscaredofhimsince thedayof theorientation. ‘DidIreallyscareherthen?’hethinkstohimself.Thensuddenly,herecallssomething—theplant!Rupali’stulsiplant!Somethinghasstruckhismind.

He looks at the time on hismobile phone. It’s 5.10 a.m.He jumps out of his bed.He rushes to thebathroomandwasheshisface.Suddenly,heisinahurry.Thenextminutehestepsoutofhishouseandpicksupsomethingfromhisgarage.Thereismorelightbutthesunhasnotrisenyet.Hepurposefullyturnstheignitionofhisjeep.Itdisturbsthesilenceofthedawn.Butitdoesn’tbother

him.Arjunreversesthejeepandinnotimehe’sontheroad.Aboutforty-fiveminuteslater,heisstandingrightnexttoRupali’stulsiplant.Fromasaplingonlyafewincheshigh,ithasgrowntowellovertwofeet.Memorieshaveyetagain

beguntoplayhideandseekinhismind.Herecallshow,almostayearback,hehadstoodrightatthatplacewhenhefirsttalkedtoRupali.Howshehadpulledthisplantoutofaplasticbagandshownhimwhatshehadbeendiggingtheearthfor.Hiseyesaregettingmoistagain.Thereisnowayhecanholdbackhis tears.Heis tiredofcrying.Heisembarrassedofcryingyetagain.But thatdoesn’tstop thetendermemoriesfromflowingin.Herecallsherfaceandhowshehadsomedirtonherprettyforeheadwhenshehadrubbedhersoiledhandsoverherface.Hekneelsdownandrunshishandsthroughtheleavesandthetinyflowersthathaveblossomed.HerealizesthatheistouchingalifethatRupalihadonceplantedandnurtured.Hegetsafeelingthat

throughtheplantheisconnectingwithRupali.Hebelievesheistouchingher—asifheisholdingherinhis fingers.The tinybranches slip inside thegapsof his fingers; just thewayRupaliwould slip herfingerswithinhis.Buthecannotseetheplantveryclearlyanymore.It’shistearsthatareblockinghisvisionagain.HerecallsRupali’swordsfromthatevening,‘Thisplantisasymbolofmydreams.Iwanttotakecare

ofit.Iwanttonurtureit.’Hemurmurssomething.Itseemslikeheistalkingtotheplant.‘...Won’tletyourdreamsdie.They

areminenow...Theyareminenow...’Herepeatslikeachild.Hegetsupandrunsbacktohisjeep.Hegetsthespadehehadpickedupfromthegarage.Hedigs

theeartharoundthatplantand,verycarefully,pullsitoutfromitsrootsalongwithachunkofearth.Hetiesapieceofclotharounditsroots.Hebringsithomeandplantsitinhisgarden.And,forthefirsttime,hefeelspeacecomeoverhim,asiftheyounggirlhelovedhasgentlyspread

herpinkdupattaoverhisface.Andhesmiles.

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Acknowledgements

IwouldliketothankVaishaliMathur,SeniorCommissioningEditor,PenguinRandomHouse,forbeingwith me throughout my journey of writing this book—for going through the entire story, andimprovisingitwhereveritwasneeded.Moreimportantly,forideatingwithmeonthetitlethatIdidn’tagreewithinthefirstgo.Iwasamazedhowpeopleloveditthedayweunveiledthecover.Ialsowanttothankmyeditor,PalomaDutta,fordealingwiththemostdifficultjobofcleaningthelanguageandfixinggrammaticalerrors.HowtiresomeIfinddoingthispartofmywork!IfeelblessedthatsomeonelikeyouistheretocleanthemessthatIcreatewhilewriting.Last,butnottheleast,Iwanttothankmywife, Khushboo Chauhan, with whom I first brainstormed the whole plot of this story. How in ourdrawing roomwe drew the flow chart of characters alongwith their relationships to each other andfurtherdesignedtheflowofthestory.Butbeyondeverythingelse,Iwanttothankyou,fornotgettingupearlyinthemorningsandtherebyprovidingmethesolitudetowritethisbook.

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PENGUINMETROREADSPublishedbythePenguinGroupPenguinBooksIndiaPvt.Ltd,7thFloor,InfinityTowerC,DLFCyberCity,Gurgaon-122002,Haryana,IndiaPenguinGroup(USA)Inc.,375HudsonStreet,NewYork,NewYork10014,USAPenguinGroup(Canada),90EglintonAvenueEast,Suite700,Toronto,OntarioM4P2Y3,CanadaPenguinBooksLtd,80Strand,LondonWC2R0RL,EnglandPenguinIreland,25StStephen’sGreen,Dublin2,Ireland(adivisionofPenguinBooksLtd)PenguinGroup(Australia),707CollinsStreet,Melbourne,Victoria3008,AustraliaPenguinGroup(NZ),67ApolloDrive,Rosedale,Auckland0632,NewZealandPenguinBooks(SouthAfrica)(Pty)Ltd,BlockD,RosebankOfficePark,181JanSmutsAvenue,ParktownNorth,Johannesburg2193,SouthAfricaPenguinBooksLtd,RegisteredOffices:80Strand,LondonWC2R0RL,EnglandFirstpublishedinPenguinMetroReadsbyPenguinBooksIndia2014www.penguinbooksindia.comCopyright©RavinderSingh2014Coverphotograph©GettyImagesCoverdesignbySauravDasAllrightsreservedISBN:978-0-143-42300-3Thisdigitaleditionpublishedin2014.e-ISBN:978-9-351-18868-1Theviewsandopinionsexpressedinthisbookaretheauthor’sownandthefactsareasreportedbyhimwhichhavebeenverifiedtotheextentpossible,andthepublishersarenotinanywayliableforthesame.Thisbookissoldsubjecttotheconditionthatitshallnot,bywayoftradeorotherwise,belent,resold,hiredout,orotherwisecirculatedwithoutthepublisher’spriorwrittenconsentinanyformofbindingorcoverotherthanthatinwhichitispublishedandwithoutasimilarcondition including thisconditionbeing imposedon the subsequentpurchaserandwithout limiting the rightsundercopyright reservedabove,nopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,storedinorintroducedintoaretrievalsystem,ortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans(electronic,mechanical,photocopying,recordingorotherwise),withoutthepriorwrittenpermissionofboththecopyrightownerandtheabove-mentionedpublisherofthisbook.

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